JOHANNESBURG – An additional service provider has been incorporated into the ongoing fraud and corruption investigation at the University of Fort Hare (UFH). Doctor Raymond Andrew Patel, aged 63, was apprehended on Saturday and subsequently appeared before the Dikeni Magistrates Court (formerly known as Alice) on Monday, where he was granted bail in the amount of R50,000.
Doctor Raymond Andrew Patel, is a distinguished individual within South African higher education, who previously held the position of Chief Executive Officer for both the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Skills Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) and the Chemical SETA.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Luxolo Tyali, stated that Patel is among a growing list of employees, service providers, and other entities that have been charged with fraud and corruption.
It has been reported that Patel was granted a tender amounting to R3.6 million and subsequently paid R1.6 million in kickbacks to employees of the university.
The proceedings have been rescheduled to 31 March 2025, at which time Patel is expected to appear in court alongside his co-defendants: 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 asserts that the University of Fort Hare (UFH) disbursed over R172 million to service providers, with a significant portion purportedly benefiting the implicated university employees.
It is asserted that violent incidents at the University allegedly occurred prior to the conclusions of the tenders.
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