The Hawks have arrested 27 suspects in connection with a large-scale fraud, corruption, and money-laundering scheme that allegedly diverted over R100 million from the Mpumalanga Department of Basic Education.
In a coordinated takedown operation conducted in the early hours of Sunday, 22 February 2026, the Hawks, with support from the DPCI Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), the Tactical Response Team (TRT), and Public Order Policing (POP), executed raids across the province.
According to authorities, the operation targeted 41 identified suspects. Those arrested include nine government officials, 14 service providers, and four private individuals. The suspects are alleged to have been key players in an organised criminal network that defrauded the education department.
The scheme reportedly involved inflated contracts and payments, sub-standard service delivery, and, in some cases, payments for services that were never rendered. The funds were meant for educational resources in the province.
The operation is ongoing, with authorities stating that teams are actively pursuing the remaining 14 suspects.
All arrested individuals are scheduled to appear before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 23 February 2026.
