HAWKS ARRESTED TWO ADDITIONAL ACCUSED FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION RELATED OFFENCES
LIMPOPO: Phalaborwa based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation arrested two additional accused Nyiko Tintswalo (23) and Lydia Mabasa (33) for alleged corruption related offences. The accused were apprehended on Monday, 12 January 2026, at Tzaneen.
It is alleged that during the period between January and May 2025, the officials from the Department of Labour received information about the fraudulent activities that took place in their Tzaneen based office.
The investigation was conducted, and it was revealed that one of the officials colluded with a company to submit Unemployment Insurance Funds (UIF) fraudulent claims to the department on behalf of the beneficiaries with exchange of gratification. As a result, the Department of Labour suffered a loss of over R825 000.
The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation for further investigation. A case was opened, and the SCI proceeded with the investigations. Upon finalization of the investigations, the Hawks handed the docket to the State Advocate for decision. An operation was conducted where the accused were traced and arrested.
They appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate Court on 12 Jauary 2026 to face charges of fraud, corruption, theft, and money laundering. They were granted bail of R2500 each. The case was postponed to 20 February 2026 for further police investigations to join another 16 accused and a company.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender has commended the team.
