Thirty-three suspects allegedly linked to a fraud case within the Department of Education (DoE) appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They are accused of fraud, money laundering and corruption.

Lowvelder reports that most of the suspects, including service providers and DoE officials, were arrested on Sunday by the Hawks.

Before the hearings proceeded, the state demanded that bail be set at R50 000, which the magistrate granted in several cases.

The matter of a service provider, Consolation Mdluli, was heard first since she is wheelchair-bound.

She was granted R5 000 bail.

Former DoE acting chief financial officer Absolom Thela, his daughter Palesa Thela, former senior department official Nono Maribe and service provider Ruth Khoza were each granted R50 000 bail.

The rest of the accused remain in custody at the Nelspruit Police Station and are expected to appear in court today  and will be joined by the three suspects who were arrested yesterday.

All accused who were granted bail are expected to make their next court appearance on March 26.

@lowvelder

Twenty-eight people were remanded in custody, while four were granted bail of R50 000 each, and one wheelchair-bound person was granted bail of R5 000, following their appearance in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court. They are charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering involving more than R100m.

♬ original sound – Lowveld Media

The arrests followed the opening of a fraud case in Mpumalanga in 2020.

It is alleged that officials actioned emergency repairs and maintenance on 21 schools in rural areas and approved tenders that were highly inflated.

The accused contractors and officials allegedly worked together, and investigations indicate a total of R130m was distributed through money-laundering activities.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.