STELLALANDER-TAUNG: A 57-year-old woman, who was the Acting Primary School principal in Taung, was arrested in Taung by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on Monday, 17 February 2025, for alleged corruption.
It is alleged that during the period between January 2022 and November 2024, the suspect was an acting school principal when she offered the complainant a contractual post of Head of Department (HoD) at the same school. Reports indicate that the complainant contract was duly renewed in 2022 and 2023. However, in 2024, it was not renewed as another candidate was considered for the same post.
The suspect reportedly informed the complainant that she would recommend to the department that he be given the acting principal post. Furthermore, the suspect allegedly informed the complainant that she would expect a payment of R4 500 in monthly installments for her acting allowance, which she would have forfeited. The complainant was subsequently hired as an acting school principal and allegedly started paying the suspect in February 2024, an amount ranging from R4 500 to R5 200. Investigation revealed that the suspect was paid R30 500 in total. Following an investigation, the suspect was apprehended and charged with corruption. She appeared in the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. Nonofatso Jerminah Tlhabanelo (57), a principal at Makgethe Primary school, appeared before the Taung Magistrates’ Court, facing six counts of corruption. She was granted R3000 bail, and the matter was postponed to 08 April 2025 for further investigation.
