Macpherson suspends senior official over R114m Mpumalanga schools tender fraud scandal | News24

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.

• Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson directed a precautionary suspension and disciplinary proceedings against a senior CPM director following the official’s court appearance.
• The official appeared on fraud charges linked to a R114 million tender for Mpumalanga schools.
• The tender, established between 2018 and 2019, was intended to be an emergency intervention to repair 21 schools in the province.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has ordered the precautionary suspension of – and disciplinary action against – a senior Construction Project Management (CPM) director. This comes after the director appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with fraud charges linked to a multimillion-rand Mpumalanga schools tender.

The official was arrested, alongside more than 30 others, for allegedly defrauding the Mpumalanga Department of Education out of R114 million through a tender established between 2018 and 2019 as an emergency intervention to repair 21 schools in the province.

While the department was not involved in the tender issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Education, the minister said that all officials within the department “must be beyond reproach”.

“From the day we entered office, we have adopted a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and ethical misconduct within this department. That position is non-negotiable,” said Macpherson.

“Upon becoming aware of the official’s arrest and court appearance, I directed the director-general to implement the precautionary suspension of the official and to initiate appropriate disciplinary action.

READ | Group of 38 accused in Mpumalanga education looting scandal granted bail totaling R1.6m

“Any official implicated in serious criminal allegations, particularly those involving public funds meant for critical infrastructure such as schools, ought not remain in their role while these processes are under way,” he added.

Macpherson further stated that the department would fully cooperate with law enforcement authorities and that internal disciplinary processes would proceed in parallel with the criminal matter.

“There will be no protection for wrongdoing. We owe it to the people of South Africa to act decisively against corruption wherever it arises. Every rand lost to fraud is a rand taken away from classrooms, communities and service delivery.

“We are committed to strengthening governance, tightening oversight, and ensuring that public infrastructure budgets are used strictly for their intended purpose. Accountability is not optional – it is fundamental to restoring trust and ensuring that infrastructure delivery serves the public, not private interests,” he said.

News24 previously reported that 38 suspects 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.

Among the service providers are two pastors, Nkosi said.

All accused are expected to make their second court appearances on 26 March.