Hawks pounce on 55-year-old woman over R114m Mpumalanga school repairs scandal
She is alleged to have received more than R1 million through transactions involving four service providers and her husband, already an accused in the same matter.
A 55-year-old woman has been arrested in Mpumalanga over an alleged money-laundering scheme tied to the multimillion-rand Department of Education tender fraud and corruption investigation, the Hawks say.
The arrest was carried out by members of the Middelburg and Nelspruit Serious Corruption Investigation after a warrant of arrest was executed on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. The Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant.
She is alleged to have received more than R1 million through transactions involving four service providers and her husband, who is also an accused in the broader matter. She faces a money-laundering charge and is expected to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
The investigation centres on allegations of fraud, theft, corruption, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act involving approximately R114 million earmarked for emergency repairs and maintenance at schools in the province.
It is not the first round of arrests. In February 2026, 40 suspects were arrested in an initial operation. They included 21 directors of service-provider companies, 10 government officials and other individuals, among them family members allegedly linked to the scheme.
The rest of the accused are expected back in court on 01 December 2026. One accused person was released by the court after investigation revealed that his credentials had been used without his knowledge.
The Hawks say the latest arrest marks further progress as they continue to trace the movement of funds allegedly diverted from public resources intended to improve school infrastructure and the learning environment for learners in the province.
The DPCI Provincial Head in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, said the Hawks are committed to following the money, identifying all individuals who may have benefited from alleged criminal activities and ensuring that those implicated are brought before the courts to answer to the allegations against them.
Possibilities of more arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation continues, the Hawks say.
The statement was issued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga. Enquiries can be directed to Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi on 071 481 3437. The source document is available at https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=71831.
