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Eight people who were arrested in connection with fraud at the South Cape TVET College, involving millions of rands, are expected to make their first appearance in the George Magistrates Court on Thursday.
The Hawks closed in on the eight, one of whom is a former college CEO, Wednesday morning for alleged theft in the amount of R24 million.
Those arrested include education officials and they face charges of corruption, fraud, alternatively theft.
Hawks spokesperson, Zinzi Hani, said it is alleged that between March 2009 and August 2014, the suspects, who were employees and contractors of the South Cape College, colluded to commit the crime.
She said they are alleged to have "unlawfully and intentionally" submitted "non-compliance bid documents and quotations" for the construction and renovations of the South Cape Colleges across all campuses in the district.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the CEO influenced other officials to deviate from the tender process in order for the scheme to benefit the entities involved.
Hani said a preliminary investigation revealed that some of the employees were directors or members of certain entities who had never disclosed their direct or indirect involvement.
She said this resulted in prejudice and a loss to South Cape College of more than R24 million.
