At least six education departments in Gauteng are investigating subsidy payments to independent schools.

In Gauteng, 22 independent schools were being investigated by the Hawks.

The province was also dealing with an increasing number of unregistered independent schools, which was revealed by the education portfolio committee at the Gauteng legislature.

The committee, chaired by Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, tabled a report which found there was a "fast-growing number of exploitative fly-by-night" independent schools illegally operating mostly in the Johannesburg inner city.

The department had launched an audit of all 205 department subsidised independent schools and withheld subsidies pending the results.

Schools found compliant had their subsidy payment resumed. Some of the schools were placed under administration, and several had their subsidies withdrawn.

A full report was handed to the Hawks to take further action.