Former deputy director jailed over R3m scam arrested in new R1.35m fraud probe

Grace Mokoka, a 50-year-old former deputy director of finance, was arrested by the Hawks in Mpumalanga on a warrant in connection with an alleged R1,358,440 fraud involving funds intended for a community land restitution project.

Arrest and charges

Mokoka was arrested in relation to a case registered in Nelspruit in 2018. She faces charges of fraud, theft, corruption in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), and money laundering in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).

Allegations linked to land restitution project

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the investigation stems from a land restitution project involving the Ingogo Communal Property Association (CPA), which successfully lodged a land claim in 2018. Following restoration of the land, the CPA sought departmental help to acquire farming and firefighting equipment.

It is alleged an invoice was submitted by MPG Mash Trading (Pty) Ltd for services that were never rendered. “Mokoka, who was employed as Deputy Director of Finance at the time, allegedly irregularly approved a payment of R1,358,440 to the company without services being rendered and without following the required procurement processes,” Nkosi said.

The investigation reportedly revealed that the company’s director, Mduduzi Mashwama, submitted the invoice after being approached by Sikhumbuzo Nkosi, who had been appointed as project manager by departmental project officer Godfrey Mchunu. Mchunu and Nkosi were arrested in connection with the matter in 2025. Mashwama has been charged in his personal capacity and as a representative of the company.

Court appearance and bail

Mokoka appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, where she was granted R1,000 bail. The matter was postponed to October 26, 2026, when she will join her co-accused, who were also released on R1,000 bail each.

Nkosi said the investigation is being conducted by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.

Previous conviction and related details

Mokoka was previously sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for fraud and money laundering after being found guilty in relation to payments of nearly R3 million to suppliers for work that had not been done. That earlier scheme dated to 2011, when Mokoka allegedly issued an appointment letter to a service provider who had not submitted tender documents, and the company received R2,950,000 for services not rendered.

At the earlier trial, Magistrate Sheila Msibi found Mokoka and others guilty of fraud and money laundering. Mokoka, Zenzele Mncwango and Sikhumbuzo Nkosi were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with portions suspended, and were ordered to forfeit assets to the state. Hawks national spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said the court granted preservation orders during the conviction, including on a double-storey house, seven vehicles and the convicts’ pension funds.

Parole and new arrests

Nkosi and Mokoka had been released on parole when they were arrested in this new case. Nkosi and Mokoka were previously sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment in separate but similar matters.

Who else is implicated

• Mduduzi Mashwama director of MPG Mash Trading (Pty) Ltd; charged personally and as company representative.
• Sikhumbuzo Nkosi appointed project manager; previously arrested in 2025 in connection with the matter.
• Godfrey Mchunu departmental project officer who appointed Nkosi.

This report is based solely on statements and facts provided by the Hawks and court records as published in the source material.