Another accused in University of Fort Hare fraud case released on R50,000 bail

The Fort Hare fraud and corruption case returns to court in 2025.

Businessman Raymond Andrew Patel, implicated in the R172 million fraud and corruption scandal at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), has been granted bail following his arrest at the weekend.

Patel appeared in the Dikeni (formerly Alice) Magistrates’ Court in the Eastern Cape, where he was granted bail set at R50 000 after a brief appearance on Monday.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Patel’s company, which allegedly provided human resources services to UFH, is accused of making fraudulent payments to university employees.

The state alleges that after securing a R3.6 million tender, Patel paid R1.6 million in kickbacks to UFH staff.

“Patel is yet another service provider added to the list UFH employees, service providers and their entities accused of fraud and corruption,” Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said in a statement.

The 64-year-old will appear alongside him co-defendant pending when the case comes back to court on March 31, 2025.

Fort Hare University fraud and corruption case

In April, 15 suspects – including Anwar Khan, the former bodyguard of slain musician Kiernan “AKA” Forbes – were arrested by a national police task force investigating alleged corruption at UFH, which allegedly led to several murders and attempted of murder.

Inn bail set at R200 000, while 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 they each received Bail of R50 000.

Businessman Justin Peter Kingaccused of using his cash loan business to offer cash payments as bribes to UFH employees, was also released on R50 000 bail.

Only two accused – Isaac Plaatjies, UFH’s director of investigations and verification services, and his co-accused, Terrence Joubert – remain in custody.

The defendants, nine of whom were UFH employees and the rest service providers and business associates, allegedly colluded to award university contracts in exchange for kickbacks and other benefits.

“The total amount of funds paid by UFH to service providers is over 172 million lei, most of which would have ended up in the pockets of the accused university employees.

“The conclusion of these tenders was allegedly preceded by violent acts at UFH,” Tyali explained.

University of Fort Hare murders

Plaatjiesthe alleged mastermind behind the UFH corruption scandal, has been in custody since his arrest last November.

He faces charges related to his murder Richard Mboneli Happythe bodyguard of UFH vice-chancellor Sakhele Buhlungu, and Petrus Roets, the university’s former fleet manager.

Vesele and Roets were fatally shot in January 2023 and May 2022, respectively.

Besides Plaatjies, nine others are accused in the separate case, including Bongani Peter, Sicelo Mbulawa, Wanini Khuza, Mthobisi Khanyile, Mthobisi Dlamini, Lindokuhle Manjati, Zimele Chiliza, Phelisa Nkonyeni and Thamsanqa Mgotyana.

The suspects collectively face charges of two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, reckless discharge of a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

They are also accused of the attempted murder of Buhlungu and Vice Chancellor Renuka Vithal.

In addition, Peter, Mbulawa and Khuza face fraud charges.

Bail was granted for some of the accused and Nkonyeni was released on R50,000, Chiliza on R100,000 and Mbulawa on R75,000.