Ex-Kathu High administrator arrested after R4.6m allegedly siphoned via ‘ghost invoices’

A former financial administrator at Kathu High School has been arrested after investigators say about R4.6 million meant for school fees and teachers’ salaries was diverted into private accounts using bogus invoices.

Arrest and allegations

The 43-year-old former administrator was taken into custody on Thursday, 2 July 2026, by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, assisted by their Serious Organised Crime counterparts. The Hawks allege she used her position in the school’s finance office to channel funds into private bank accounts she had set up instead of official school accounts.

How investigators say the scheme worked

According to the Hawks, the probe found a pattern of fictitious invoices created in the names of supposed school suppliers. Payments were authorised on those invoices and then directed into the accused’s personal account. Investigators say the diverted funds included normal school fees and donor contributions intended to cover School Governing Body (SGB) teachers’ salaries.

The Hawks further allege the former administrator authorised payments to herself for overtime despite school policy that prohibits such payments for her position. The authorities say the combination of forged documentation, false authorisations and diverted payments underpins charges of fraud, forgery and uttering brought against her.

Audit, court appearance and ongoing probe

The alarm was first raised in October 2025, when an audit uncovered irregularities in Kathu High’s financial records. The accused is expected to appear in the Kathu Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 3 July 2026, for a possible bail application.

The Hawks have said their investigation into the full extent of the alleged embezzlement is ongoing and that more details may emerge as the case proceeds.

Key facts

• Amount alleged: about R4.6 million
• Accused: 43-year-old former financial administrator at Kathu High School
• Initial discovery: audit in October 2025
• Charges: fraud, forgery and uttering
• Arrest date: 2 July 2026
• Court appearance: Kathu Magistrate’s Court, 3 July 2026