The State has withdrawn criminal charges against 21-year-old Lulama Mhlabane in the ongoing probe into an alleged R113 million fraud at the Mpumalanga Department of Education, a provincial court heard on Friday.
Withdrawal follows lack of evidence, court told
State Advocate Prenisha Jagannath told the court that the decision to drop the charges was taken after prosecutors found no evidence linking Mhlabane to the alleged corruption. Mhlabane had been among a group arrested by the Hawks in February as part of a targeted operation into irregular emergency repair projects for schools.
“The charges against Mhlabane were withdrawn after the State found no evidence linking him to the alleged corruption,”
The broader investigation, led by the Hawks, originally resulted in the arrest of 41 people, including three senior department officials: a former acting head of department, a former acting chief financial officer, and chief directors for implementation and planning, the court record shows.
Allegations and remaining accused
Prosecutors allege that in 2018 emergency repair projects were created for 21 schools in the province, with project costs reportedly inflated and some work left incomplete. The remaining accused in the matter face a range of charges, including:
- Fraud
- Money laundering
- Theft
- Contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
The accused have been granted bail, with amounts ranging from R5 000 to R50 000, according to the court. Two of the accused were expected to return to court after securing new legal representation.
Court schedule and next steps
The matter was postponed to 1 December to give defence teams time to study documents provided by the State. The continued postponement highlights the complexity of cases that hinge on extensive financial records and the involvement of multiple suspects and state officials.
| Key detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Alleged value | R113 million |
| Initial arrests | 41 people (February operation by the Hawks) |
| Schools affected (alleged) | 21 |
| Bail range | R5 000 – R50 000 |
| Next court date | 1 December |
What this means locally
For residents in Mpumalanga, particularly those connected to the affected schools, the case underscores ongoing concerns about oversight and the use of education budgets. Allegations that work was overpaid or left incomplete have direct consequences for learners, educators and local contractors who depend on timely and lawful procurement and delivery.
Withdrawals such as the one in Mhlabane’s matter also illustrate the importance of rigorous evidence review in high-profile investigations. Prosecutors must balance the urgency of addressing alleged corruption with the legal duty to pursue only cases supported by admissible evidence.
What to watch
- Whether further withdrawals or new charges emerge as the State continues to review evidence.
- Progress of the trial for remaining accused, including how financial records and project audits are handled in court.
- Department of Education responses on oversight and measures to prevent recurrence, including any internal audits or disciplinary action.
The Hawks led the initial operation that prompted these arrests. Court proceedings will determine accountability for the alleged mismanagement of funds allocated for school repairs. The case remains a key test of efforts to tackle corruption in provincial procurement and to restore public confidence in the use of education resources.
Reporting from the Mpumalanga courtroom continues as the matter progresses toward the December hearing.
