A group of 38 individuals, including senior officials, service providers and students, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court over allegations of looting R114 million from the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
Supplied/Mpumalanga Hawks
A group of 38 accused facing charges of defrauding the Mpumalanga Department of Education out of R114 million have been granted bail totalling R1.6 million.
The accused, including senior government officials, service providers, and tertiary students, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court over three days.
According to the Hawks, the accused allegedly manipulated tender processes, delivered substandard services, or received payments for services not rendered. The funds were reportedly funnelled through various accounts to government officials.
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Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Magoseni Nkosi, said a wheelchair-bound accused and two of the three students were granted bail of R5 000 each.
Three accused were granted bail of R20 000 each, one was granted bail of R30 000, and 31 accused were granted bail of R50 000 each.
Among the service providers are two pastors, Nkosi said.
“All accused are expected to make their second court appearances on 26 March 2026,” he said, adding that two more suspects were expected to hand themselves over to the investigating officer as arranged with their legal representatives.
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