By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A school principal and the circuit manager at the North West Department of Education were arrested on 5 August 2024, by the Hawks for corruption. Lydia Masiu (53) and Petrus Mokobe (63) briefly appeared before the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing five counts of corruption.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said Masiu and Mokobe, were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp on 5 August 2024. Mathebula said their arrest follows an investigation into allegations of corruption in the appointment of school teachers in Ventersdorp.
“Investigations revealed that Masiu and Mokobe allegedly solicited gratification from the complainants in exchange for teacher posts in the local schools. The complainants reportedly paid the accused R15 000 in instalments.
“Following an investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued against the pair and executed last night. They appeared in court and were granted R8000 each. Their case was postponed to 6 September 2024 for further investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West Province, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the sterling work from the investigation and prosecution team. They have vowed to continue collaborating in the fight against corruption in the province.
The Guardian 