Johannesburg - A former Limpopo MEC was arrested on Tuesday morning, the Hawks said.
The woman and one of her business associates were charged with fraud, Captain Paul Ramaloko said.
“Another businessman was expected to hand himself over to Polokwane police soon,” he said.
The group allegedly participated in tender fraud worth around R15 million.
The woman also sits on the African National Congress's national executive council. She and her co-accused were expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court later on Tuesday.
The arrest follows Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report that stated she 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.
“(The woman) 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