Another service provider has been added to the ongoing University Fort Hare (UFH) fraud and corruption case.
Doctor Raymond Andrew Patel, 63, was arrested on Saturday and appeared in the Dikeni (formerly Alice) Magistrates court on Monday, where he got bail of R50 000.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Luxolo Tyali says Patel is yet another list of employees, service providers and other entities charged with fraud and corruption.
He says it is alleged that Patel was awarded a R3.6 million tender and paid R1.6 million kickbacks to university employees.
The matter was postponed to 31 March 2025, when Patel will appear alongside his co-accused Issac Plaatjies, Sarga Burger, Gosain van der Haar, Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Nkateko Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Thamsanqa Sonjica, Craig Retief, Bradley Conradie, Terrence Joubert, Anwa Khan and Nthabiseng Makhoba.
Tyali says UFH paid more than R172 million to service providers, with the bulk allegedly going to the pockets of the accused university employees.
He says violent acts at the University allegedly preceded the conclusions of the tenders.
