Ex‑administrator denied bail in R4.6m Kathu High School fraud case

A former school financial administrator accused of stealing R4.6 million from Kathu High School has been denied bail after the Hawks presented what a court found to be compelling evidence.

Who is accused and where

The accused is Maria Jessica Kuhn, a 43‑year‑old who previously managed the school’s finances. She was arrested on 2 July at her Kathu residence near Kuruman in the Northern Cape and appeared in court on the following Tuesday.

Charges and alleged method

Kuhn faces charges of fraud, forgery and uttering linked to the alleged theft of R4.6 million in school funds. The Hawks say the accused created separate private bank accounts and diverted school funds into them.

Investigators allege the stolen money included normal school fees and donor amounts that are used to pay school governing body (SGB) teachers’ salaries. The Hawks also say the accused created fictitious invoices purportedly from legitimate school suppliers and authorised payments that went to her private account and for her benefit.

The Hawks further allege Kuhn paid herself overtime despite the school’s policy prohibiting such payments.

How the case came to light

Financial discrepancies were identified in October 2025 when an audit detected irregularities in the school’s records. The Hawks said their provincial leadership decided to contest bail.

“The Hawks provincial leadership made a decision to contest bail, and the court denied bail to the accused after being satisfied with compelling facts placed before the court,” the Hawks said.

Next steps

The accused remains in custody. The matter is due back in court on 31 August 2026, and the case has been transferred to the Serious Commercial Crimes Court. The Hawks said investigations are continuing.