The former director-general in the Eastern Cape's Office of the Premier, Marion Mbina-Mthembu, and five others appeared in the Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of defrauding the state of R20 million.
The money had been earmarked to ease overcrowding in Eastern Cape schools.
Mbina-Mthembu appeared alongside the former acting Eastern Cape head of education, Sizakele Netshilaphala, the former chief financial officer in the Office of the Premier, Myirhakazi Hannah Ntshingila, and businesspeople Athi Magwentshu, Ntabellang Nkoane and Koleka Mtembu.