Former official arrested in South Africa over suspected fraud in land project — TimesLIVE

In Mbombela, South Africa, 50-year-old Grace Mokoka, a former deputy director of finance at the department of rural development and land reform, was arrested. As TimesLIVE reports, she is suspected of involvement in alleged fraud amounting to 1,358,440 rand as part of a project to restore land to a community.

Charges in the case

The case was registered in Nelspruit in 2018. Mokoka was charged with fraud, theft, corruption and money laundering.

According to the Hawks unit in Mpumalanga province, the investigation concerns a land project of the Ingogo Communal Property Association. After the land was restored to the community, the association approached the department for assistance in purchasing agricultural and firefighting equipment.

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Alleged payment scheme

Investigators claim that MPG Mash Trading submitted an invoice for services that were not actually provided. According to the Hawks, Mokoka, who was then serving as deputy director of finance, allegedly improperly approved a payment to the company without services being provided and without complying with mandatory procurement procedures.

According to investigators, the company's director, Mduduzi Mashwama, submitted the invoice after being approached by Sikunbuzo Nkosi. Nkosi was appointed project manager by department official Godfrey Mchunu. Mchunu and Nkosi were arrested in connection with the case in 2025. Mashwama was also charged both as an individual and as a company representative.

Mokoka appeared before the Mbombela Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where she was released on bail of 1,000 rand. The case was postponed to October 26, 2026, when she is due to join the other accused, who were also released on bail of 1,000 rand each.