A Mpumalanga businessman and 37 others, including ten government officials, have been arrested in connection with a R113 million tender fraud involving school repairs. The arrests, carried out by the Hawks between Sunday and Tuesday, center on allegations that companies were handpicked to repair schools at inflated prices.
Allegations of Fraud and Misuse of Funds
Ted Ripinga, a businessman implicated in the scandal, appeared in the Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) magistrate’s court seeking bail. Prosecutor advocate Prenisha Jagganath argued against a low bail amount, pointing to the alleged misuse of funds. Jagganath stated, “So [Mr Ted Ripinga] steals from public school [funds] and sends his children to private school.”
The prosecutor highlighted that in some cases, payments were made even when no work was completed, with funds allegedly diverted to the accounts of relatives or the officials themselves. Ripinga requested bail be set at R20,000, revealing in his affidavit that his children attend Curro private school.
Magistrate Patrick Morris ultimately granted Ripinga bail of R20,000. Bail was likewise granted to Jabulani Nkosi, chief director for human resources at the Mpumalanga department of health; Velamina Matsi-Seregile, director of construction and project management in the national department of public works in Pretoria; businessman Luka Mhlabane, who was granted R20,000 bail; and his son, Lulama, a student, who was granted R5,000 bail.
As of today, only 15 of the 38 accused have been granted bail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total amount of money involved in this case?
The total amount of money involved in the alleged fraud is R113 million.
How many people have been arrested in connection with the scandal?
38 people have been arrested, including 10 former and current government officials.
Where did the court proceedings seize place?
The court proceedings took place at the Mbombela (formerly Nelspruit) magistrate’s court.
What further steps might be taken in this case remains to be seen, but a full investigation and potential trial are likely to unfold over the coming months. The outcome could set a precedent for future cases involving public funds and tender processes.