Pastor Thandekile Sibiya, who allegedly received more than R1 million in suspected money-laundering transactions, has been released on R10,000 bail in a R114 million Mpumalanga education tender scandal involving the renovation of 21 dilapidated schools.

Sibiya appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 15 October 2026, following her arrest by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, a day earlier.

Her husband, Pastor Bongani Sibiya, who is also implicated in the case, has reportedly been granted a relaxation of his bail conditions, allowing him to travel overseas for religious purposes to attend a church men’s conference later this month.

Bongani, who was arrested in February 2026, remains out on bail as the investigation into the alleged tender fraud and money laundering continues.

The case reportedly centres on a tender awarded in 2022 for emergency repairs and maintenance at 21 schools across Mpumalanga. Investigators are probing allegations that public funds intended to improve school infrastructure were misappropriated.

According to the Hawks, Thandekile allegedly received more than R1 million through transactions involving four service providers and her husband. She faces a charge of money laundering.

Her arrest follows an operation in February 2026, when 40 suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged scheme. A police statement revealed that the group included 21 directors of service-provider companies, 10 government officials and other individuals allegedly linked to the transactions.

The Hawks said the remaining accused are expected to return to court on 1 December 2026, except for one individual who was released after investigators established that his credentials had allegedly been used without his knowledge.

Further arrests have not been ruled out as investigators continue tracing funds allegedly diverted from public resources intended to improve school infrastructure and learning conditions.

Mpumalanga Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber reiterated the unit’s commitment to following the money trail and ensuring that those implicated are brought before the courts.