Ghost structures and phantom payments rock R116m Gauteng school project

Ranked News

📰 South Africa

Ghost structures and phantom payments rock R116m Gauteng school project 03.07.2026

TimesLIVE

A Gauteng government school project worth over R116 million is embroiled in serious corruption allegations. Mkhize Gcwabe Properties (MGP), brought in as a rescue contractor for the Semphato Secondary School development in Soshanguve, Pretoria, claims that more than R15 million was certified and paid for work that could not be physically verified on site. Internal project documents reveal disputes over allegedly inflated quantities, disputed construction claims, and irregular payment certifications. MGP alleged that consultants and departmental representatives approved payment certificates despite glaring inconsistencies between site conditions and certified work, including roofing structures paid for but absent on site. The company claimed that inflated quantities and unsupported claims were processed without proper scrutiny, contributing to financial instability and operational strain. The allegations target not only earlier contractors but also officials responsible for inspections and payment approvals, suggesting an environment where public funds were disbursed for defective or unverifiable infrastructure. MGP stated that attempts to raise concerns were ignored or dismissed. The project had already reached operational distress by the time MGP became involved. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of Gauteng's infrastructure procurement and oversight systems, particularly for school projects. It remains unclear if any formal criminal complaint has been lodged with authorities like the Hawks or the Special Investigating Unit. The Gauteng departments of education and infrastructure development did not respond to questions, leaving the status of any internal investigation unknown. The future of the Semphato Secondary School project remains uncertain amid these allegations.

TimesLIVE Full Article

📰 Top Stories

Trump belooft Amerika 'great' te houden en stemrecht te beperken 5h ago

NOS

Speaker at Khamenei's funeral calls for the death of Donald Trump 4h ago

Hindustan Times

Dodental na aardbevingen in Venezuela loopt op naar bijna 3000 slachtoffers 13h ago

NOS

Nederlandse vrouw ontvoerd, verkracht en afgeperst in Pakistan 9h ago

NOS

Why the USMNT is worth celebrating this Fourth of July 11h ago

USA Today

Man climbs Eiffel Tower and hangs American flag 12h ago

Le Monde

North Korean leader Kim observes weapons tests from new naval destroyer 7h ago

Wtop

Lebanon’s Aoun calls on US to keep ‘always standing beside’ his country 13h ago

Aljazeera

3 children dead after boat capsizes in storm on Wisconsin's Geneva Lake 11h ago

USA Today

A fast-moving wildfire near Greece’s Thessaloniki sparks evacuations as smoke blankets suburbs 11h ago

Wtop

🇺🇸 United States

Trump zum 250. US-Jubiläum "Wir werden immer die Besten sein" 3h ago

Tagesschau

Patriot Front White Nationalists March in Washington During America's Semiquincentennial 4h ago

The National

7-Eleven sues Nike over Air Max with Slurpee maker’s colours 4h ago

The Straits Times

Trump’s rally facing risk of thunderstorms that could shrink already small crowds 21h ago

The Independent

Trump nutzt 250-jähriges Jubiläum der USA für MAGA-Kundgebung 2h ago

FR

Trump Accounts Launch as US Marks 250th Independence Day 22h ago

The Straits Times

Mystery Surrounds Zappos Founder Tony Hsieh's Death and Estate Battle 21h ago

Fox News

Five ways extreme heat can become deadly during the holiday 11h ago

USA Today

Truck Driver Charged in Fatal Crash of Pennsylvania State Police Trooper 15h ago

Fox News

Trump warns of 'communist menace' resurgence in South Dakota speech 04.07.2026

The National

🟠 Americas

Brazil look to overcome Norway hoodoo in World Cup last 16 clash 3h ago

Aljazeera

Trump crowd faces delays and confusion during July 4 celebration 5h ago

The Independent

Keiko Fujimori wins Peru's presidential election after weeks of vote counting 04.07.2026

BBC

Anguished families left to identify Venezuela quake victims at makeshift morgue 03.07.2026

BBC

Trump’s last-ditch effort to stall his $5.8M payout to E Jean Carroll was denied 10h ago

The Independent

Descendants of Enslaved People Who Built the White House Share Their Stories 12h ago

ABC News

American-born pope urges US to welcome and protect immigrants in Fourth of July letter 17h ago

The Independent

Police swarm Michigan shopping center after 'significant' shooting incident; at least 2 dead 03.07.2026

Fox News

Bernie Sanders predicts political revolution after progressive victories 03.07.2026

The Independent

Here's who won — and lost — under Trump's "big, beautiful bill" 03.07.2026

CBS News