By Staff Reporter
TZANEEN – The Phalaborwa-based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) have arrested two additional suspects, Nyiko Tintswalo (23) and Lydia Mabasa (33), in connection with alleged corruption and fraud amounting to R825 000.
The arrests took place on Monday, 12 January 2026, in Tzaneen.
Investigations revealed that between January and May 2025, officials at the Department of Labour’s Tzaneen office received information about fraudulent activities.
One official is alleged to have colluded with a company to submit Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraudulent claims on behalf of beneficiaries in exchange for gratification. This resulted in a loss of over R825 000 to the department.
The matter was reported to the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation, who conducted a thorough investigation. Upon completion, the docket was handed to the State Advocate for further action. Subsequent operations led to the arrest of the two suspects.
The accused appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate Court on 12 January 2026 facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft, and money laundering. Each was granted R2 500 bail, and the case has been postponed to 20 February 2026 to continue investigations involving another 16 accused individuals and a company.
Major General (Adv) Gopz Govender, Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, commended the team for their diligence and successful arrests, emphasizing the Hawks’ commitment to combating corruption in the province.
