Two women accused of orchestrating an alleged fraud and corruption scheme involving more than R800,000 at the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (Sedfa) briefly appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where they were granted bail of R20,000 each.

Phaladi Ramadimetje Maggie, a financial advisor at Sedfa, and her co-accused Audrey Gavasa Ndlovu, a director at Nubian Notes, face charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering. Their case was postponed to May to allow for further investigation and administrative processes.

The matter is expected to be transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, according to the National Prosecuting Authority.

NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi confirmed the pair’s court appearance and said the case would return to court once transfer arrangements have been finalised.

Malabi said the second accused’s company was registered as Tsursumi Trading Pty Ltd and forms part of the investigation into alleged irregular financial flows linked to the case.

“The accused appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering. The matter was postponed to allow for its transfer to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court,” she said.

The arrests follow a lengthy investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, into alleged financial misconduct at Sedfa’s Tzaneen offices.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the case stems from information received about suspected criminal activities involving public funds.

Investigators allege that a Sedfa official colluded with company directors, assisting them with funding applications in exchange for kickbacks. These payments are believed to total more than R800,000.

The probe began in April 2025, when authorities secured and executed a search-and-seizure warrant at Sedfa’s Mopani branch in Tzaneen. During the operation, investigators confiscated electronic devices and documents for forensic analysis.

The evidence gathered during the operation is understood to have uncovered what authorities describe as a coordinated scheme involving fraudulent funding applications, misrepresentation of training documentation and the laundering of proceeds.

The two suspects, aged 58 and 49, were arrested on 17 March 2026 by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Phalaborwa.

Their court appearance on Thursday marks the first formal step in what is expected to be a complex prosecution, given the financial and documentary evidence involved.

In a separate statement, Sedfa confirmed that the arrest of the financial advisor followed a joint investigation between the agency and the Hawks.

The agency said the employee resigned in December 2025, months before her arrest, and that the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement authorities.

Sedfa said the investigation forms part of its efforts to strengthen ethical standards and improve internal controls.

“The arrest is an outcome of our concerted effort to enhance ethical culture and maturity,” the agency said.

It added that the allegations relate to fraudulent funding applications, misrepresentation of training documentation and possible money laundering activities.

Sedfa reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on fraud and corruption, saying it would continue to cooperate fully with investigators.

“The agency remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of public resources,” it said.

It also assured stakeholders that systems and controls are in place to safeguard the integrity of its processes, particularly in the allocation of funding to small businesses.

The case has drawn attention to governance and oversight within state entities responsible for disbursing public funds, particularly those tasked with supporting small enterprises.

Authorities have indicated that further arrests could not be ruled out as investigations continue.

For now, Maggie and Ndlovu remain out on bail as the state prepares to move the case to a specialised court equipped to handle complex commercial crimes.

The matter is expected to resume in May, when prosecutors are likely to outline the next steps in the case, including the formal transfer and potential indictment of the accused.