NEBO, LIMPOPO — Three former members of the Kwenatshwene Primary School Governing Body have been arrested for fraud after an investigation revealed misappropriation of school funds totaling R82,780.
The accused are Mafane Kenneth Lekala (53), former chairperson, Rantweu Simon Makweng (55), deputy chairperson, and Ngwanamotsogana Rebecca Magaele (45), a former deputy member of the school governing body. They were arrested on Tuesday by the Polokwane-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Wendy Nkabi, the former school principal discovered missing pages from a cheque book and unauthorized cheque transactions allegedly signed by Lekala without the knowledge of the principal or the school’s financial officer.
Upon referral to the Hawks, a detailed investigation confirmed the fraudulent activities.
The trio appeared in the Nebo Magistrates’ Court and were each granted R10,000 bail. The matter has been postponed to May 28 for further investigation.
This case comes in the wake of a similar fraud case involving Mmakolobe Mathar Ramashala, a Limpopo teacher who last year pleaded guilty to defrauding the provincial Department of Education of R918,000. Ramashala received a suspended five-year sentence and a R100,000 fine after misusing her position to unlawfully secure payments through her private company.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to rooting out corruption in the education sector.
