Hawks Uncover R2-Billion Graft Across National Treasury, Health, and Education Departments

Cape Town – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) is currently probing an extensive network of alleged corruption cases totaling over R2-billion, implicating high-ranking officials and entities within the National Treasury, Department of Basic Education (DBE), and the Department of Health. This was revealed by Major General Mmeli Makinyane, the Hawks’ acting divisional commissioner for priority offenses, during a briefing to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

According to Makinyane’s presentation, the Hawks are investigating 201 corruption cases across government departments, state-owned entities, and municipalities. The bulk of these, 110 cases involving over R126-million, are linked to the Department of Basic Education, encompassing allegations of fraud, theft, corruption, and contraventions of public finance management acts.

A significant R1-billion corruption case is under investigation within the National Treasury, tied to a single contract. In the health department, 19 cases involving approximately R922.9 million are being probed.

The Hawks’ investigations also extend to four state capture cases, stemming from 31 recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry. Of these, two cases are currently before the courts, one has resulted in a conviction, and another remains under investigation.

Furthermore, the Hawks are tackling 93 COVID-19-related corruption cases referred by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Twenty-two of these cases, involving 73 accused persons (25 juristic and 48 natural persons), are before the courts. Twelve cases have been submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for decision, with 59 still under active investigation.

In addition, the presentation detailed eight referrals from the SIU concerning the National Lottery Commission’s funding of Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) and Non-Profit Companies (NPCs). Seven dockets related to these referrals are under investigation, with one case already before the court.

The briefing highlighted the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat widespread corruption in various government sectors, with a strong focus on cases referred by the SIU.