Pretoria - Four suspects have been arrested for allegedly stealing and selling state medicine worth about R200 000 in the Eastern Cape.
The Hawks arrested the three women and a man on Monday. Some of the stolen medication was allegedly found at their homes.
Police have been investigating, with the help of the provincial Health Department, since August last year when it received information that medication meant to be distributed to state hospitals and clinics were being sold by the officials to enrich themselves.
The medication was allegedly stolen from the department's depots in the province and sold to private doctors and pharmacies.
"Two of the suspects worked at a distribution depot in Umtata, and the other one worked at a district depot. The fourth suspect allegedly used a vehicle belonging to the King Sabatha Dalindyebo municipality to transport the stolen medication," the Hawks said.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Umtata Magistrates Court on Wednesday on charges of theft and corruption.
The Hawks said its investigation was at an advanced stage, and were hopeful that they would arrest those who allegedly bought the stolen medication soon.
