Two former employees of the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) at the Gauteng West District Office in Krugersdorp, along with an external accomplice, have been sentenced for their roles in a ghost employee scheme that defrauded the GDE of around R3m.

According to GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona, the first former employee was sentenced to 10 years, with four years suspended, and two six-year sentences to run concurrently. The second former employee received an eight-year sentence, while the accomplice was given a three-year sentence, suspended for five years.

• Read the initial article here: K’dorp ghost employee scam: Former GDE staff face sentencing

Mabona added that the sentencing was handed down on 2 October by the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.

@caxton.jhbwest Following their success in court, GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona issued a stern warning, saying the consequences for those involved in crime will not be tolerated. #gautengdepartmentofeducation #fyp #Employeesarrested #scam ♬ original sound – Caxton JHB West 

The convictions follow a ghost employee scheme within the Human Resources Unit at the district office, which implicated seven employees. They carried out the fraud by creating and making payments to non-existent employees.

“This outcome reaffirms the department’s zero tolerance for fraud and corruption. We commend the diligent work of our internal Risk Management officials who exposed the scheme, as well as the dedicated efforts of the police and other law enforcement agencies whose investigations ensured accountability,” he said.

GDE MEC Matome Chiloane said he hopes the sentencing sends a strong message that fraud and corruption will not be tolerated in the sector.

“We are encouraged by the collaboration between our internal teams and law enforcement in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” Chiloane concluded.