Hawks arrest 27 alleged Mpumalanga Education Department fraudsters

Around 27 people, suspected of defrauding Mpumalanga's Education department of more than R113 million have been arrested on Sunday

The arrests, which were part of a coordinated anti-corruption operation by the Hawks took place across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

Among those detained are nine officials, 14 service providers, and four others linked to the scheme.

The suspects are accused of submitting false and inflated invoices for services provided to the department, with irregularities dating back more than five years.

Hawks Spokesperson Magonseni Nkosi praised the operation, calling it a success in the fight against corruption in public institutions.

"Following a lengthy investigation on the irregularities within the department of education in Mpumalanga, we as the host can confirm that we conducted a takedown operation whereby 27 suspects were arrested. Our operation still continues.  We are hoping to get the other remaining suspects arrested in due course.”