Three former employees of the Gauteng West Department of Education have been convicted and sentenced for theft and fraud after running a ghost employee scheme that drained funds from the department’s payroll system.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela, the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court handed down sentences to Thaniso Ralethe (37), Kenneth Maredi Mothiang (43), and Banyana Caroline Mokela (50) after their conviction earlier this year.
Between 2014 and 2015, the trio fraudulently created ghost employees and assigned them to Bekkersdal Primary School, enabling them to siphon salaries meant for non-existent staff members.
The scheme was exposed when the school submitted a request to the department to fill vacant posts, triggering an internal audit that revealed irregularities. Once uncovered, the matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest and resignation of all three officials in December 2015.
Following a lengthy investigation and court proceedings, the three were found guilty on May 23, 2025, and sentenced on October 2, 2025.
Thaniso Ralethe received a three-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years on condition of no further offenses.
Kenneth Maredi Mothiang was sentenced to ten years, with four years suspended, resulting in an effective six years in jail.
Banyana Caroline Mokela received an eight-year effective prison term.
The Hawks commended the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of accountability within public institutions and reaffirming their commitment to tackling corruption in the education sector.
