Eastern Cape — Six senior officials from the Kumkani Mhlontlo Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape have been arrested by the Hawks in connection with a major ghost worker scandal that allegedly defrauded the local government of over R2 million.
A Hawks spokesperson confirmed that the suspects, comprising two men and four women, were apprehended across various areas. According to the spokesperson, one official was arrested at a bed-and-breakfast, another inside the municipal offices, and a third in Qumbu. The remaining three suspects reportedly handed themselves over to police.
The alleged fraud and money laundering offenses center on the illicit creation of 12 ghost junior positions within the municipality. The Hawks spokesperson noted that the criminal activity commenced in 2022 and continued until 2025, with the matter officially reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in July 2026.
The recent arrests followed an intensive internal investigation initiated by the municipality’s internal auditor. A municipal spokesperson acknowledged the developments, confirming that colleagues were taken into custody after serious internal probes were handed over to the Hawks for further criminal investigation.
“I can confirm that some of my colleagues have been arrested after there were serious internal investigations from the internal auditor, which was then handed over to the Hawks for more investigations,” the municipal spokesperson stated. “The case is now with the Hawks, and we are waiting on them to do their work.”
The six suspects are expected to appear before the Qumbu Magistrate Court on Wednesday. The Hawks have indicated that the investigation remains active and that more arrests may follow as the probe into the ghost worker scandal continues.
