A former senior official in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has appeared in court after being arrested by the Hawks on allegations of fraud, forgery and uttering linked to an alleged fraudulent travel claims scheme.
Funeka Goci-Malusi, who previously served as Director responsible for Quality Assurance and Administration within the department, appeared before the KuGompo Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape on Thursday. She was arrested earlier the same day by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in KuGompo.
The court released the 58-year-old on bail of R1,000.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the case comes after the department detected suspicious travel-related expenditure and irregularities in travel authorisation procedures.
Mhlakuvana said what initially appeared to be administrative discrepancies reportedly developed into a broader corruption investigation involving allegations of falsified records and the misuse of systems intended to protect public funds.
The department referred the matter to the Hawks for further investigation after the discrepancies were uncovered.
Investigators allege that fraudulent Official Flight Travel Authorisation Requests (OFTARs) were created and processed to facilitate travel arrangements purportedly undertaken by officials from the Free State to KuGompo during July 2024.
Relying on the apparent authenticity of the documents, the department’s contracted travel management service provider allegedly proceeded with travel and accommodation bookings in line with government procurement and travel procedures.
However, subsequent verification processes reportedly uncovered major irregularities. Mhlakuvana said that alleged fraudulent documentation containing fabricated employment information and records relating to non-existent personnel was used to create the impression that legitimate government business was being conducted.
The investigation found that the department allegedly suffered an actual financial loss of about R23,430. Authorities further identified potential additional prejudice estimated at approximately R14,600.
Goci-Malusi is expected to return to court on July 10, 2026.
