FIVE Limpopo government officials are in trouble over the alleged theft of public money.

The officials were arrested by the Hawks priority crimes investigation unit yesterday after they were accused of fraud and theft involving more than R10-million.

The three men and two women - who are all officials of the provincial department of health - will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court today.

Police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi yesterday identified the arrested officials as a state accountant, a chief provisioning officer, a deputy manager for finance, a supply chain manager and the deputy manager of the same unit.

Mulaudzi said three of the suspects were tender committee members at a nursing college and that they did not disclose to their employer (the department of health in Limpopo) their interest in the companies, to which they allegedly awarded the tenders.

Mulaudzi said the officials had been charged with fraud and theft and that further investigations into their activities are were continuing.

According to court documents relating to the charges against the officials, which Sowetan has also seen, the tender committee at the nursing college was only authorised to adjudicate the procurement of items worth between R5000 and R50000.

But the officials would procure other tenders well over the required amounts.

It is also alleged that the companies that have benefitted from the tenders are those owned by the officials, or their families.

Mulaudzi said yesterday that the police would oppose bail being granted to the suspect officials when they appeared in court today. - frankm@sowetan.co.za