Limpopo School Teacher Jailed For R550K Scholar Transport Fraud

A former school teacher from Limpopo, Collen Lekgolane Mashweu, has recently appeared before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where he faced charges of fraud.

The 62-year-old Mashweu pleaded guilty to 10 counts of fraud and contravention of the Public Service Act. As a result, he was sentenced to either pay a fine of R100,000 or serve five years in prison. However, the sentence has been wholly suspended for a period of five years.

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According to Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the Limpopo spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, Mashweu was employed by the Limpopo Department of Education as a teacher.

However, between April 2010 and August 2012, he acted as a director of his own company and provided services to the Department of Education. During this time, the department made payments totalling over R556,000 without proper authorization or disclosure of Mashweu’s outside remunerative work.

The Hawks discovered that Mashweu’s private company was involved in providing scholar transport services. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) based in Polokwane received a proclamation to investigate serious maladministration within the Department of Education. This came after allegations of unlawful conduct by department officials.

In 2023, the matter was handed over to the Polokwane-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Investigation Unit for further investigation.

Mashweu was eventually traced and summoned to appear in court. The case proceeded smoothly, leading to his guilty plea on 10 counts of fraud and contravention of the Public Service Act.

The sentencing resulted in a fine of R100,000 or five years of direct imprisonment, which was wholly suspended for five years.

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Brigadier Desmond Alexander, the acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, commended the diligent investigations conducted by the Hawks and the SIU. Their efforts led to the successful prosecution of Mashweu.

This case serves as a reminder that fraudulent activities within the public service will not be tolerated. The conviction and sentencing of Mashweu send a clear message that those who engage in fraudulent practices will face the consequences of their actions.