Grace Mokoka, a 50-year-old former deputy director of finance at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, was arrested in Mpumalanga by the Hawks over an alleged R1.35 million fraud involving funds intended for a community land restitution project. Arrested on a warrant tied to a case registered in Nelspruit in 2018, Mokoka faces charges of fraud, theft, corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), and money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA). At the time of her arrest, Mokoka was already serving a parole release stemming from a previous 10-year prison sentence for a separate fraud and money-laundering scheme.
Investigation Into Ingogo Communal Property Association Land Restitution Project
Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, speaking as the Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, explained that the ongoing probe originates from a land restitution initiative concerning the Ingogo Communal Property Association (CPA), which filed a successful land claim back in 2018. Once the property was successfully handed back to the residents, the CPA reached out to the Department for support in obtaining necessary farming and firefighting tools. Investigators allege that the project was exploited through a fraudulent scheme where MPG Mash Trading (Pty) Ltd submitted an invoice for services that were never rendered. Mokoka allegedly irregularly approved a payment of R1,358,440 to the company without following required procurement processes.
The investigation further revealed that company director Mduduzi Mashwama submitted the invoice after being approached by Sikhumbuzo Nkosi. Nkosi had been appointed as project manager by Godfrey Mchunu, a departmental project officer. Mchunu and Nkosi were arrested in connection with the matter in 2025, and Mashwama faces charges both in his personal capacity and as a representative of the company. Both Sikhumbuzo Nkosi and Mokoka were previously sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment in separate but similar matters, and both were out on parole when arrested for this case.
Did You Know? Grace Mokoka was previously convicted along with Zenzele Mncwango and Sikhumbuzo Nkosi in January 2023 by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court, where Magistrate Sheila Msibi found them guilty of fraud and money laundering in connection with a 2011 scheme involving nearly R3 million in unrendered services.
Court Appearance and Upcoming Trial Dates in Nelspruit
Following her arrest, Mokoka appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The court granted her R1,000 bail and postponed the matter to October 26. On that date, she will join her co-accused, who were also released on R1,000 bail each. The ongoing inquiry is being handled by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
Grace Mokoka Faces Fraud Theft and Corruption Charges over Land Restitution
What specific charges does Grace Mokoka face in the current case?
She faces charges of fraud, theft, corruption under PRECCA, and money laundering under POCA.
Which organization’s land restitution project is at the center of the R1.35 million investigation?
The investigation involves the Ingogo Communal Property Association (CPA), which successfully lodged a land claim in 2018.
How much bail was Grace Mokoka granted during her appearance at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court?
She was granted R1,000 bail on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, and the matter was postponed to October 26.
What was the outcome of Mokoka’s previous 2018 court trial regarding a 2011 fraud scheme?
Magistrate Sheila Msibi found Mokoka, Zenzele Mncwango, Sikhumbuzo Nkosi, and Thandi Mndawe guilty of fraud and money laundering, resulting in an effective 10-year imprisonment sentence for Mokoka, Mncwango, and Nkosi, alongside asset forfeiture orders.
What specific company submitted the invoice for the unrendered services in the current investigation?
MPG Mash Trading (Pty) Ltd submitted the invoice, which was allegedly approved by Mokoka without required procurement processes.
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