- More than 30 accused appeared in court over an alleged R114 million school maintenance tender fraud, with marathon bail proceedings unfolding.
- The Mpumalanga Provincial Government linked the arrests to the national anti-corruption agenda and called for an urgent departmental assessment.
- Several accused were granted bail under strict conditions, while others remain in custody pending further applications.
More than 30 accused individuals, ranging from government officials to students and business owners, crowded the dock of the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court as they sought bail in what has become one of Mpumalanga’s most significant alleged school maintenance tender fraud cases involving R114 million.
The proceedings provided a detailed look into the backgrounds of the accused, most of whom submitted affidavits maintaining their innocence and dismissing the state’s case as weak or trumped up.
Bail applications dominate proceedings
Among the primary accused is Jabulani Nkosi, a government employee who, through his legal representative Advocate Vusi Sekgodi, asserted that he is a committed family man and poses no flight risk. Similarly, Virginia Thela, a 49-year-old administrative clerk within the Mpumalanga Department of Education, appeared alongside her husband and daughter. She confirmed she has no prior convictions and remains a permanent resident of White River.
The private sector was also heavily represented in the dock. Sibongile Sithole Dlamini, a managing director in the construction industry, expressed her shock at being wanted by the police, while Mthethwa Kwaiman Masemola argued that his release was in the interest of justice. Masemola noted that he employs 30 people in KwaMhlanga and has significant financial obligations, including four bank-financed vehicles.
Accused profiles and bail arguments
The court heard details regarding the financial standing of several accused as they attempted to prove their ties to the province. Philile Prudence Ntuli, director of Sihlangu seMnikati Trading, informed the court of her substantial property portfolio, including a R2 million home in Mbombela and a R300,000 property in Barberton. Despite holding a valid passport and frequently visiting Eswatini, she maintained she has no intention of evading trial.
Among the business-affiliated accused, Zwelethu Thela, a resident and business owner from KaNyamazane, informed the court that he manages student accommodation and is the primary provider for four dependents. He noted that he has no previous convictions and intends to plead not guilty to all charges. Joining him in the application was Shonaphi Gcinaphi Sogayise, a 40-year-old business administrator. Through her legal representative, she denied any involvement in the alleged crimes and maintained that the state’s case is fundamentally weak, a point she intends to prove during the trial.
Additionally, Ted Repinga presented his case for bail by highlighting his longstanding history as a self-employed individual, a path he has followed since his high school years. He gave a firm undertaking to the court to adhere to all bail conditions and emphasised that he has never provided false information to the authorities.
A notable aspect of the day’s proceedings was the involvement of younger defendants and students. Lulama Knowledge Mhlabane and Mpumelele Magagula, students at Tshwane University of Technology and University of Johannesburg respectively, both denied any involvement in money laundering or fraud. Additionally, Brilliant Ndlovu, a 29-year-old mining academy student whose father is also an accused in the matter, submitted to the court that the state’s investigation was incomplete and lacked merit.
The session concluded after Luka Mhlabane, a father of four, and Matilda Nompumelelo Petse of KaNyamazane both reaffirmed their lack of previous convictions and their intent to ventilate their innocence during a full trial. The court rolled the matter over to February 25 as the remaining bail applications continue to be processed. All accused who have not yet been granted bail remain in custody.
Provincial government responds to crackdown
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has broken its silence following a high-profile crackdown by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, which saw dozens of individuals arrested in connection with the alleged fraud.
The arrests involve R114 million allegedly siphoned from funds intended for infrastructure upgrades at public schools. The development has prompted Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu to call for an immediate assessment of the Department of Education’s internal stability.
In a formal statement released on February 24, Ndlovu emphasised that the arrests are aligned with the national agenda. He said the operation mirrors the commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the recent State of the Nation Address.
“Building a capable, ethical, and developmental state is one of the three core priorities of the 7th Administration,” Ndlovu said. “This requires a high level of commitment to act decisively in cases where risks are identified that obstruct the realisation of this aspiration.”
Ndlovu urged the Department of Education in the province to evaluate how the arrests, which include several government officials, will impact administrative operations, service delivery and staff morale. He reiterated that while the provincial government respects the independence of law enforcement, the priority remains ensuring that the education of the youth is not disrupted by the fallout of the investigation.
Bail outcomes and next court date
On February 23, 33 accused persons appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court. The group consists of government officials and private sector representatives from entities including Sekhulumi Trading Projects, Fountain Square Trading, Orion Construction CC, Mkhulise General Trading and Phelenathi Holdings. They face charges including fraud, corruption and money laundering.
During the initial proceedings, the magistrate considered the bail applications of five individuals, taking into account personal and medical circumstances. On medical grounds, an accused person who is wheelchair-bound was granted bail of R5,000. Two government officials and one service provider were granted bail of R50,000 each. Bail of R50,000 was also extended to another accused on compassionate grounds as they are currently breastfeeding.
As a condition of release, those granted bail were ordered to surrender their travel documents to the investigating officer. They are scheduled to return to court on March 26. The remaining accused individuals remain in custody pending the continuation of their bail applications.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Ndlovu reminded the public that South Africa remains a constitutional democracy where the principle of innocent until proven guilty must be upheld.
“We urge our communities to allow the law to take its course,” Ndlovu said, reaffirming that the provincial government remains committed to fostering a stable and effective education system that prioritises the future of the province’s children over illicit personal gain.
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