The Hawks in Gauteng have arrested a former assistant director at the Department of Arts and Culture and an alleged accomplice in connection with a series of fraudulent transactions dating as far back as 2012.

The two appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said the former department employee allegedly "provided fraudulent payment requisitions for three different companies" for goods and services not rendered.

"The fraudulent invoices were valued at over R4.9-million, and the department suffered a loss of R1.8-million," said Mogale.

The alleged accomplice was a service provider, said Mogale.

"Both suspects, together with the companies, were charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering. Both suspects appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday and were remanded in custody," said Mogale.

The case has been postponed to Tuesday.