The bail applications of more than 30 suspects arrested in connection with an ongoing Department of Education (DoE) scandal continued well into the afternoon today, Tuesday February 24.

The accused, including multiple service providers and nine government officials, were arrested after investigations revealed that handpicked companies were appointed to repair schools at inflated prices, with some payments made despite no work being done.

The amount involved is said to be more than R110m.

Due to the large number of accused, presiding officer Magistrate Patrick Morris made the decision to hear the applications in groups of 10 suspects at a time.

When the first group of 10 was brought into Court C, the accused sat in the dock with their heads bowed in an apparent attempt to avoid the press.

Most used clothing items to cover their faces.

The magistrate was unimpressed and ordered them to sit up straight and remove the masks: “In this court you will sit up straight, if you are tired just go back to the police cells and sleep.”

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The first accused to apply for bail in today’s proceedings was Jabulani Rolland Nkosi (52).

His lawyer read an affidavit supporting his bail application into the court record.

The affidavit revealed that Nkosi is a director in the Mpumalanga Department of Health and that he was once an acting head of department for the DoE.

He previously worked in the Kruger National Park as a manager for some years.

Nkosi’s affidavit stated that he did not have any previous conviction or outstanding cases against him and could afford bail.

“I submit to the honourable court that I have a travel document which I use to travel to my in-laws in eSwatini. I am married with children and my wife is not employed. I’m intending to plead not guilty and for the strength of this case, I am going to clear my name and if given bail, I shall abide by the conditions that the court will impose on me,” Nkosi said in his affidavit.

He told the court that he owns both movable and immovable properties, with one of his three immovable properties, worth R250 000, situated in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

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Nkosi’s bail was set at R50 000 on the condition that he hands over his passport to the investigating officer, refrains from interfering with witnesses, and attends court every time he is scheduled to do so.

Whisky Mhlabane, Wellemina Mathe and Sibongile Sithole Dlamini were also granted bail of between R20 000 and R50 000 before the court adjourned for lunch.

Several other accused were still awaiting their bail decisions at the time of publication.