Polokwane - Former Limpopo MEC Miriam Segabutla was charged with fraud in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, said the Hawks.
The ex-health and social development MEC was arrested with a business associate of hers earlier on Tuesday, said Captain Paul Ramaloko.
A third accused handed himself over to police during the day.
The two men implicated in the case were businessmen Pieter Francois Erasmus, 51, and Jacobus Lucas, 46.
“All three of them were granted R25 000 bail. They will appear in court again on July 5,” said Ramaloko.
Segabutla is a member of the African National Congress's national executive committee.
She and her co-accused were alleged to have participated in tender fraud worth around R15 million.
Her arrest followed Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report that stated Segabutla displayed improper conduct during her tenure as MEC.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint lodged with Madonsela's office in June 2010 relating to the procurement of services for a Limpopo government department.
“Segabutla acted in a manner that is inconsistent with the position that she occupied, and that was not in the best interests of the department,” Madonsela said in February. - Sapa