• Hawks arrested the former acting head of the Mpumalanga education department at his Barberton home over an alleged R114 million tender fraud dating back to 2018.
• A pastor believed to be a service provider was not found at home and was told to hand himself in to the nearest police station.
The former acting head of the Mpumalanga education department has been arrested in a major corruption crackdown.
He is among 41 suspects arrested on Sunday, 22 February 2026, during a Hawks operation linked to an alleged R114 million tender fraud.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the investigation relates to alleged tender fraud and corruption dating back to 2018.
The former official was found asleep at his home in Barberton when officers arrived.
He is expected to appear in court on 23 February 2026.
Nkosi said one suspect was arrested in Cape Town. Seven others were expected to be arrested in Gauteng and three in Limpopo.
“So far we have arrested one suspect who is a former acting head of the education department,” said Nkosi.
Before the arrest, Hawks members went to the home of a well known pastor who is believed to be a service provider in the tender.
The pastor was not at home.
“A service provider who is also a pastor was not found in his house but we managed to reach him on the phone and advised him to hand himself in to the nearest police station,” said Nkosi.
Nkosi said officers are still tracking down other suspects in Barberton, Matsulu, Kanyamazane, Nelspruit and other areas.
The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Pictured above: Hawks vehicle
Image source: Supplied
