Thulisile Mapongwana
The bail applications of the newly arrested in the Fort Hare University corruption and fraud investigations have finally been concluded.
On Friday, Anwar Khan, a former bodyguard to the slain rapper, AKA, was granted bail in the amount of R200 000.
The National Prosecuting Authority said, however, that co-accused Terrence Joubert was denied bail in the Dimbaza Magistrates Court.
Regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Joubert was denied bail because the court felt that there is a probability that he would interfere with witnesses and the investigation.
He said Joubert had refused at first to grant investigators access to his cell phone and in his affidavit, said he left the NPA voluntarily when he was dismissed.
Also Read: Fifteen more arrested for Fort Hare murder saga
Tyali said Khan was granted bail with conditions, including that he must report daily to the nearest police station, surrender his passport and have no contact with Joubert or any witnesses in the case.
The pair will join 19 other suspects, including former employees and service providers, in the dock in the corruption saga, who have been granted conditional bail in the amount of R50 000 each.
They are Sarga Burger, Gosain van der Haar, Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Nkateko Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Thamsanqa Sonjica, Craig Retief, Bradley Conradie, Justin King and Nthabiseng Makhoba.
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.
The 21, nine of whom were UFH employees, and the rest being service providers and their companies, are accused of having colluded in giving each other tender contracts at the university in return for gratifications.
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. The conclusion of these tenders was allegedly preceded by violent acts at UFH.
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 08 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, namely, 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 09 May 2024.
Read More: Ten more suspects released on bail in Fort Hare case
