A pastor’s wife accused of benefiting from the proceeds of an alleged R114m corruption, theft and money laundering scheme involving the Mpumalanga Department of Education has been granted R10 000 bail.

Pastor Thandekile Sibiya, wife of co-accused Pastor Bongani Sibiya, appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today after her arrest yesterday.

According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, her arrest follows an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption, theft and money laundering involving about R114m in Department of Education funds. The matter has already seen 40 accused persons, including her husband, arrested in February 2026.

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Hawks link proceeds to 4 companies

“The investigation has allegedly linked Sibiya to the proceeds of crime channelled through four companies and her husband.

Her arrest marks a further development in the extensive investigation aimed at bringing all those implicated in the alleged scheme to justice.

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“She appeared in court alongside co-accused Zama Fakude who handed himself over to police this morning, a company director whose company allegedly benefited more than R1m from the suspected corrupt activities. Fakude was remanded in custody, with the bail application postponed to October 21, 2026 to allow for further investigation,” Nkosi said.

Husband clears bail hurdle to travel abroad

Sibiya’s appearance followed that of her husband, Bongani Sibiya, who successfully applied for the relaxation of his bail conditions to enable him to attend a church men’s conference outside South Africa later this month.

Sibiya is expected to return to court on December 1, alongside her 39 co-accused, including her husband.