When you hear the name of a university, the first thing that should come to mind is academic excellence and its alumni.
However, when the University of Fort Hare (UFH) is mentioned, people do not immediately think of it as one of the oldest institutions of higher education. Instead, they think of faked and fraudulent qualifications and the increasing number of deaths relating to corruption.
Twenty-two people, and counting, are accused of having colluded in giving each other tender contracts at the university in return for gratifications. Nine of the accused were UFH employees, and the rest being service providers and their companies.
The total amount of funds paid by UFH to the service providers is more than R172 million, with the bulk of it allegedly finding its way to the pockets of the accused university employees.
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The conclusion of these tenders was allegedly preceded by violent acts at UFH.
The accused were arrested over the Easter weekend by the police national task team investigating criminality at UFH, which has resulted in murders and attempted murders.
One of the accused, Isaac Plaatjies, has since abandoned bail, and should he decide to still apply for bail, the state will oppose his application.
Justin King, Sarga Burger, Gosain van der Haar, Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Nkateko Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Thamsanqa Sonjica, Craig Retief, Bradley Conradie and Nthabiseng Makhoba have been each released on R50 000 bail.
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Terrence Joubert and Anwar Khan is proceeding and will be back in court on Friday, 19 April 2024, for judgment.
Anwar is believed to have been late rapper AKA’s former bodyguard for years. He is accused of having pocketed R62 million for providing security services.
Isaac Plaajties is charged in a separate matter, with nine people for the murder of University of Fort Hare (UFH) fleet manager, Petrus Roets, and the university’s Vice-chancellor’s (VC) bodyguard, Richard Vesele, attempted murder of VC, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu and Deputy VC, Renuka Vithal, as well as corruption are due in Bhisho High Court on 8 October 2024.
All of them but one charged in this case remain in custody after they were denied bail.
The accused in the corruption case, along with five business entities; EL Reign PTY Ltd, Tarlec Security Solutions CC, BCHC Incorporated, Horizon Forensics PTY Ltd and Pentagon Group PTY Ltd, will be back in court on 9 May 2024.
