27 officials from the Mpumalanga Department of Education were arrested on Sunday morning, 22 February, during a coordinated anti-corruption sting operation carried out across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

The arrests form part of a major investigation into a R113 million corruption scheme being pursued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation(Hawks). In total, 41 individuals and companies are linked to the case, facing charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Those detained include nine departmental officials, 14 service providers and four other individuals connected to the alleged scheme. Among the high-profile suspects are the former acting Head of Department (HOD), the former acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and chief directors responsible for planning.

Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, said the alleged corruption dates back to 2018. The matter was reported during the 2019/2020 financial year, with a formal criminal case opened in 2020.

According to Gerber, officials allegedly fabricated “emergency repair” and maintenance projects at 21 schools across the province. While some limited work may have been done, tenders and invoices were allegedly grossly inflated, procurement processes were bypassed, and service providers were unlawfully handpicked.

Investigators further allege that false and inflated invoices were submitted for services purportedly rendered to the department, with financial irregularities stretching back more than five years. Contractors are accused of working in collusion with departmental officials to facilitate the scheme.

Hawks spokesperson Magonseni Nkosi described the operation as a major breakthrough in tackling corruption in public institutions.

“Following a lengthy investigation into irregularities within the Department of Education in Mpumalanga, we conducted a takedown operation in which 27 suspects were arrested. The operation is ongoing, and we are hopeful that the remaining suspects will be apprehended in due course,” said Nkosi.

In a statement issued on 21 February 2026, the Mpumalanga Department of Education confirmed awareness of the Hawks’ operation. The department said the matter is now before the courts and is regarded as sub judice, and therefore declined to comment on the merits of the case.

The department reiterated its commitment to ethical governance, transparency and accountability, maintaining a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and maladministration. It further stated that it will cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies to ensure due process is followed.

The case is expected to continue in court as investigations expand, with further arrests anticipated as authorities pursue the remaining suspects linked to the corruption network.