Ten suspects in Fort Hare case released on bail
The Alice Magistrates Court, sitting in Dimbaza, has released ten suspects in the University of Fort Hare fraud and corruption case.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decided not to oppose bail against the ten accused after considering some developments in their individual circumstances.
The ten suspects included former staff members and service providers, each of whom was granted bail of R50 000.
As part of their bail conditions, they are expected to report to their respective police stations on Wednesdays and surrender their passports to the investigating officer.
NPA Regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said from Friday, the state will oppose the bail of three of the 15 suspects.
The three include the alleged mastermind, Isaac Plaatjies, his friend, Terrence Joubert and the late Rapper AKA’s former bodyguard, Anwar Khan.
The group was arrested over the Easter Weekend by the National Task Team investigating criminality UFH, which has resulted in murders and attempted murders.
They are accused of colluding to award tender contracts fraudulently in return for financial kickbacks.
The University paid over R170 million, with the bulk of it allegedly finding its way into the pockets of the accused university employees.
These tender contracts come before the violent shootings of UFH senior staff members.
Plaajties is also charged with nine other people for the murder of the University of Fort Hare fleet manager Petrus Roets and vice-chancellor Sakhele Buhlungu’s bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele.
He also faces charges for the attempted murders of Buhlungu and his Deputy, Renuka Vithal.
The ten in the murder case are due in Bhisho High Court on 8 October.
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