Rustenburg - A former policeman and two SA Revenue Service (SARS) Customs officials, arrested in connection with a R3 million fuel fraud, were granted bail at the Lehurutse Magistrate’s Court in the North West province on Monday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said former policeman Obokeng Diale, 39, and SARS officials, Gosego Gaebetswe, 31, and Shimane Motshabi, 51, were each granted R10 000 bail with strict conditions.

They were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime unit on Friday for ghost fuel export fraud.

"The trio was arrested following investigations into an alleged fraudulent fuel scheme where the former police officer would allegedly pay the customs officials approximately R35 000 per transaction to process fictitious transactions which implied that fuel was being exported through the Skilpadshek border post.

"Thereafter, documents would allegedly be submitted to SARS to claim revenue for the fuel trade that never took place," Rikhotso said.