Page 12 - 08 November 2024

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PAGE 12 THE REPORTER 8 NOVEMBER 2024
Tender Scandal: Raymond Patel

accused of paying

R1.6 million kickbacks to

University of Fort Hare employees

Written by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj, Senior Digital Journalist, IOL News

Businessman Dr Raymond Patel is the latest
person to be arrested in connection with fraud
and corruption allegations at the University of
Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape.
Patel, 64, appeared in the Dikeni (formerly Alice)
Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The National Prosecuting Nthabiseng Makhoba.
Authority (NPA) said Patel The accused, nine of whom
who is charged with fraud were UFH employees, and
and corruption was released the rest being service
on R50,000 bail.
p r o v i d e r s a n d t h e i r Raymond Patel faces charges of corruption and fraud.
NPA spokesperson Luxolo companies, are accused of File Picture: Tracey Adams
Tyali said Patel was arrested having colluded in giving
over the weekend. each other tender contracts
Patel, a service provider, is at the university in return for Investigations and Vetting, degrees at the University of
alleged to have been gratifications. was denied bail in December Fort Hare.
awarded a R3.6 million “The total amount of funds last year. “These include contacts for
tender and paid R1.6 million paid by UFH to the service Plaatjies, 56, is one of 10 cleaning and gardening
kickbacks to university providers is more than R172 accused of the murder of services, the leasing of
employees, the NPA said. million, with the bulk of it Petrus Roets, UFH fleet student accommodation
His co-accused include allegedly finding its way to m a n a g e r , a n d t h e tender, the appointment of
Issac Plaatjies, Sarga Burger, the pockets of the accused university’s vice-chancellor's service provider for the
Gosain van der Haar, Anna university employees. bodyguard, Richard Vesele. maintenance and repair of
air conditioning systems,
Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia “The conclusion of these In August 2022, President and collusion between
Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, tenders was allegedly Cyril Ramaphosa signed a officials of the university and
Nkateko Mawila, Nozuko preceded by violent acts at proclamation for the Special
Mabombo, Thamsanqa UFH,” said Tyali. Investigation Unit (SIU) to service providers, in which
Sonjica, Craig Retief, launch an investigation into such officials held direct or
indirect interests.“
Bradley Conradie, Terrence Plaatjies, the University of four contracts and the
Joubert, Anwa Khan and Fort Hare’s (UFH) Director of awarding of Honours IOL News

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