Mbombela (Nelspruit) – A female pastor arrested for her alleged role in siphoning more than R100 million from the Mpumalanga Department of Education has been freed on R10 000 bail.
Pastor Thandekile Sibiya appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, a day after her arrest by the Hawks.
“Her arrest follows an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption, theft and money laundering involving approximately R114 million in Department of Education funds,” Hawks Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said.
“The matter has already seen 40 accused persons arrested, including her husband.”
Pastor Sibiya’s husband, Pastor Bongani Sibiya, was arrested for the same matter earlier this year in February.
The husband and wife pastors, along with 38 others, face allegations of corruption, theft and money laundering.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi said all the accused are scheduled to return to court on 1 December 2026.
Mpumalanga Hawks Head Major General Nico Gerber said: “The investigation continues, and all persons implicated in the matter will be afforded the opportunity to answer to the allegations in court”.
