The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) has arrested a 55-year-old woman in connection with an alleged R114-million fraud, corruption, and money-laundering scheme within the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

The sprawling investigation focuses on public funds that were originally allocated for emergency repairs and maintenance at schools across the province. Instead of fixing infrastructure to improve learning conditions, authorities allege that these public resources were systematically diverted.

According to investigators, the latest suspect allegedly received more than R1 million through illicit transactions.

The money was routed through four separate service providers and her husband, who is already an accused in the ongoing case.

The woman faces a charge of money laundering. She is expected to make her first appearance in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

This arrest is the latest development in a massive crackdown on provincial corruption.

In February 2026, a major law enforcement operation resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects, exposing a deeply entrenched network between public officials and the private sector.

Those previously arrested include:21 company directors and 10 government officials

While the newly arrested suspect appears in court this week, the remaining 40 accused are scheduled to return to court on 1 December 2026.

The Hawks have confirmed that the investigation is far from over.

Financial asset trackers are actively tracing the movement of the stolen funds, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests as they unravel the full scale of the syndicate.

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