MBOMBELA – The former acting HOD of education and the current chief director of the Department of Health, Jabulani Nkosi (59), was arrested by the Mpumalanga Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation on Friday, for violating the Public Finance Management Act.

ALSO READ: Nelspruit ranked third in SA for residential burglary

The Hawks spokesperson, Capt Dineo Sekgotodi, said it is alleged that during the Covid-19 outbreak, while the suspect was still an acting head of the Department of Education, he procured personal protective equipment (PPE) that had not classified under the Covid-19 circular.

ALSO READ: MEC Latchminarain warns taxi associations not to interfere with University of Mpumalanga operations

During the investigation, it was established that the PPE was irregularly purchased without following supply chain processes, resulting in the department suffering a loss of more than R21m. The arrest followed after the investigation had been referred to the Hawks by the National Prosecuting Authority, Sekgotodi said.

Nkosi appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court today and was released on R10 000 bail. The case was postponed to April 20 for a regional court date.