The 38 are accused of fraud, corruption and money-laundering in 2019 and 2020 involving more than R114 million from the Mpumalanga Department of Education when they unlawfully benefitted from inflated contracts and payments at schools in Mpumalanga.
The accused, including senior government officials, service providers and individuals, appeared in Nelspruit magistrate’s court from Monday (23 February) to today (Wednesday, 25 February).
They had been arrested on Sunday after the Hawks in Mpumalanga executed a coordinated takedown across the province on Sunday.
Arrests were also carried out in Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.
A wheelchair-bound accused and two students were granted R5 000 bail each. Three accused were granted bail of R20 000 each, one had to pay R30 000 and 31 had to pay R50 000 each.
Two of the service providers arrested are pastors.
All accused are expected to make their second court appearance on 26 March.
Two remaining suspects are expected to hand themselves over to police as arranged with their legal representatives.
ALSO READ: 27 to appear in court today in connection with R100 million Mpumalanga education department fraud
List of accused:
- Accused 1: Jubulani Roland Nkosi the Acting Head of Department of Education, Mpumalanga Province, and at the time of the commission of these offences, he was, by virtue of his portfolio, the Accounting Officer of the said Department.
- Accused 2: Absalom Papinyana Thela who was the Director of Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer of the Department of Education, Mpumalanga Province, at the time of the commission of the offences.
- Accused 3: Thabea Nono Maribe, an official of the Department of Education, Mpumalanga Province, holding a position of Chief Director.
- Accused 4: Sogayise Gcinaphi Sharon
- Accused 5: Serogole Wilhemina Matsie
- Accused 6: Sokhulumi Trading And Projects (Reg No 2008/027792/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 7: Masemola Mthethwa Kwaaiman
- Accused 8: Fountain Square Trading (Reg No 2003/015086/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 9: Sihlangu Myvern Lebogang
- Accused 10: Arise General Construction cc (Reg No 2001/031812/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 11: Khosa Fortune Ruth
- Accused 12: Ngwekazi Business Enterprise (Reg No 2002/042358/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 13: Sithole Sibongile Rosbella
- Accused 14: Nkomazi Business Network (Reg No 2001/049699/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 15: Repinga Ted
- Accused 16: Makhayeni Sint Trading cc (Reg No 2007/099655/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 17: Nkosi Tracy Mxolisi
- Accused 18: Sobantu Supply Chain (Pty) Ltd JV
- Accused 19: Illuminate Trading cc (Reg No 2007/238120/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 20: Mhlabane Luka Whysky
- Accused 21: Mhlabane Lulama Knowledge
- Accused 22: Ndukunduku Trading cc (Reg No 2004/055966/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 23: Nkosi Skop Dumiso Justice
- Accused 24: Join Forces Trading Enterprise cc (Reg No 2008/048799/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 25: Lubisi Mabel Gugu
- Accused 26: Siqogo Trading Enterprise (Reg No 2006/136023/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 27: Ndlovu Moses Shadrack; and
- Accused 28: Ndlovu Ntsonana Brilliant
- Accused 29: Amk Business Enterprise (Reg No 2001/067327/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 30: Mdhluli Linda Xolile; and
- Accused 31: Mdhluli Consolation Zandile
- Accused 32: Khuno Trading (Pty) Ltd (Reg No 2015/159678/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 33: Khuzwayo Immaculate Xolile
- Accused 34: Mkatekisi General Trading (Reg No 2010/124746/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 25: Mswane Phindile Sellinah; and
- Accused 36: Maluleka Elton Sibusiso
- Accused 37: Sihlangu Semnikati Trading cc (Reg No 2004/062106/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 38: Ntuli Philile Prudence
- Accused 39: Mampumi Trading (Reg No 2006/026431/24/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 40: Petse Nompumelelo Matilda
- Accused 41: Khombisa Enterprise (Reg No 2013/167850/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 42: Mashile Cedric Mathatha (deceased), and
- Accused 43: Ngomane Lungelo Crossby
- Accused 44: Phelembe Investment Group (Reg No 2016/295606/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 45: Phelembe Valentia Sibongile
- Accused 46: Bongchu International Cc (Reg No B2007/058194/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 47: Sibiya Louishenry Bongani; and
- Accused 48: Msibi Hopewell Bongani
- Accused 49: Huois Properties (Reg No B2007/156737//23)
- Accused 50: Sebenzani Trading 59 cc (Reg No 2003/04891/2/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 51: Magagula Phumelele Faith
- Accused 52: Palenathi Holdings (Pty) Ltd (Reg No. 2017/521079/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 53: Thela Palesa
- Accused 54: Foslow (Pty) Ltd (Reg No 2014/221290/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 55: MOKEMANE KATLEGO
- Accused 56: 247 Khompho Trading Logistics (Reg No. 2015/159678/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 57: Mthalanie Mpho Brigetta
- Accused 58: Thelangoma Trading (Reg No 2017/296275/07), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 59: Thela Albert Azania Zwelethu
- Accused 60: Leroka Trading Enterprise cc (Reg No. 2009/149188/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 61: Mashilwane Leroka Alex
- Accused 62: Mashilwane Ledile Francinah
- Accused 63: Sengape Development Projects (Reg No. 2005/103948/23), hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 61: Mashilwane Leroka Alex
- Accused 64: Thela Virgina
- Accused 65: Abundance Investment Club, hereinafter represented by:
- Accused 3: Thabea Nono Maribe; and
- Accused 4: Sogayise Gcinaphi Sharon
- Accused 66: Khoza Derick Zwelithini
- Accused 67: Duba Chuene Norah
- Accused 68: Shogole Mante Mabel
- Accused 69: Sogayise Luthando Sanele Pikolomzi
