By Charmaine Ndlela
Thirty-three suspects appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Monday on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a R113 million school repair tender scandal.
The arrests were carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, in Nelspruit on Sunday morning.
The operation targeted 41 suspects allegedly implicated in corruption, theft and fraud relating to emergency school repair tenders dating back to 2018. One of the suspects has since died.
Among those arrested are government officials and service providers believed to be connected to irregular tender processes within the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
Investigators also conducted search and seizure operations at the home of a Barberton-based pastor believed to be linked to the scheme.
Speaking to Inside Education, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi confirmed that 33 suspects appeared in court.
“You will recall that we initially had 41 suspects. By this morning, 23 had already been arrested, and as we speak, the number has increased to 26 arrests. Today, 33 appeared in court,” said Nkosi.
Nkosi added that bail proceedings prioritised suspects with medical conditions.
A wheelchair-bound woman was granted bail of R50,000 and is expected to reappear in court on 26 March. The Chief Financial Officer, a former Chief Director, and a company owner and director were also granted bail of R50,000 each due to medical reasons.
Another female suspect, who is reportedly breastfeeding, was also granted R50,000 bail on health grounds.
One of the accused, Jabulani Nkosi, is the former Acting Head of the Mpumalanga Department of Education. He currently serves as Chief Director for Human Resource Management and Development in the Mpumalanga Department of Health.
The remaining suspects are expected to appear in court on Tuesday for their bail applications, including three individuals who were arrested later on Monday.
INSIDE EDUCATION
