 office in Tzaneen.){kind=link}
By Akani Nkuna
Two women, a 58-year-old company director and a 49-year-old financial adviser, have been arrested in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, in connection with alleged fraud, corruption, theft, and money laundering involving the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (Sedfa) office in Tzaneen.
The arrests on Tuesday followed an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit after it received information about alleged financial misconduct at the agency.
The team obtained a search-and-seizure warrant, which was executed at the Sedfa offices on 24 April 2025, leading to the seizure of electronic devices and documents for further analysis as the investigation continued.
ALSO READ: Gangsters get life for killing pregnant woman in Cape turf war
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the investigation found that an official had allegedly colluded with company directors by assisting with funding applications and, in return, received kickbacks of more than R800,000 from companies that were ultimately awarded funding.
Mogale told Inside Metros that the Hawks were exploring efforts to recover the money, but said it was “too early” to pre-empt what was going to happen.
ALSO READ: Eskom to implement 8.76% tariff increase from April
The suspects are expected to make their first appearance in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, on charges of fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering.
Limpopo Hawks provincial head Major General Gopz Govender said officials entrusted with public funds should know that the corruption investigation unit would ensure they were brought to book.
“The Hawks will leave no stone unturned, and further arrests are not being ruled out,” he said.