Several government officials have been arrested in connection to fraud amounting to about R700 000.

Five suspects between the ages of 41 and 81 were arrested yesterday morning in the Free State and Gauteng provinces by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team located in the Free State.

According to the spokesperson of the Hawks in the Free State, Christopher Singo, among those who were arrested is the former HOD of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and two former municipal managers of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.

“It is alleged that during the period of January 2008 until December 2010, money was allocated to the Brandfort Museum project, popularly known as the Winnie Mandela Museum by the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture. The money that was allocated was then misused and the service providers were appointed without following the proper procurement processes,” says Singo.

“The project was coordinated by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the Lejweleputswa District Municipality. As a result of these fraudulent activities the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture suffered a total loss of more than R700 000,” said Singo.

The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ for further investigation which culminated in the arrest of the suspects.

The suspects are expected to appear in court today where they will be facing charges of fraud, theft, contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.

According to Singo, more arrests are imminent.

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