Mpumalanga Education fraud arrests climb to 36
The number of suspects arrested in connection with the alleged R100 million fraud , corruption and money laundering case involving the Mpumalanga Department of Education has risen to 36.
Monday’s arrests came amid the court appearance of 33 suspects in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.
Investigators initially confirmed 27 arrests, but that number has steadily increased as additional suspects were apprehended.
Authorities previously indicated that 41 individuals were targeted in the operation, meaning only five suspects remain outstanding.
The arrests form part of a broader investigation by the Hawks into what authorities describe as organised criminal activity involving government officials and private service providers.
The suspects are accused of misappropriating more than R100 million from the Mpumalanga Department of Education.
Spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Magonseni Nkosi, confirmed that during court proceedings, five accused were granted bail due to medical conditions.
“One woman who is wheelchair-bound was granted R5,000 bail, and we had two other government officials who had medical conditions as well. They were granted R50,000 each, and we had one company director who had a medical condition as well. She was also granted R50,000 bail.
“But there was a fifth person who was granted bail because she was breastfeeding. So, we took that as a medical condition, and she was also prioritised.”
Those who have been granted bail are expected back in court on Thursday.
The remaining accused, together with three suspects arrested earlier on Monday, are expected to appear for their bail applications on Tuesday.
Nkosi urged the five remaining suspects to hand themselves over at their nearest police station.
“Those who know that they're being wanted, and we didn't find them because of maybe their own vacation or whatever, they must report to the nearest police station where they are, or upon their arrival, they have to hand themselves over to the police. That's going to make their lives easier.”
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