At least 20 suspects have been arrested in a multi-province operation targeting an alleged R113 million fraud involving the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

According to SABC News, the arrests were carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, across Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.

The suspects are accused of defrauding the provincial education department through inflated contracts linked to the emergency repair of 21 schools during the 2019–2020 financial year. Authorities allege that procurement procedures were flouted and service providers were irregularly appointed.

Mpumalanga Hawks head Major-General Nico Gerber said a total of 41 individuals and companies are implicated in the investigation. Those arrested so far include 10 government officials, 17 service providers and 21 company directors. They are facing charges of fraud and corruption.

Gerber reportedly said that although some repair work was carried out, the approved tender amounts were significantly inflated. He further indicated that proper supply chain management processes were not followed and that certain contractors were hand-picked to benefit from the contracts.

Senior officials named as suspects include the acting Head of Department at the time, chief directors responsible for implementation, the director for planning and the acting chief financial officer. Some of these officials have already been taken into custody.

The Hawks described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on corruption in the public sector, particularly in departments responsible for service delivery such as education.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon as investigations continue. Authorities have not ruled out further arrests.