Alice, South Africa
In a major breakthrough against corruption in the education sector, the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit has arrested three individuals linked to a fraud and money laundering scheme that siphoned over R2 million from the University of Fort Hare.
Key Arrests
The suspects, apprehended in a coordinated Hawks operation on 1 April 2025, have been identified as:
- Simbongile Geqeza (41) – Former Acting Chief Financial Officer at the University of Fort Hare
- Isaac Plaartjies (57) – Former Head of Investigation and Vetting
- Claudine Davids (44) – A family friend and alleged financial beneficiary
The trio appeared before the Alice Magistrate’s Court on 2 April 2025 on charges of fraud, money laundering, and corruption. They were each granted R10,000 bail, and the case has been postponed to 4 April 2025 for further investigation.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
The Hawks’ investigation revealed two fraudulent transactions that resulted in the misappropriation of university funds:
- First Fraudulent Scheme (September 2021): Geqeza allegedly issued a fraudulent payment instruction to a bank, transferring R1.4 million to a company with no legitimate ties to the university. This transaction was flagged after university management detected financial discrepancies and alerted authorities.
- Second Fraudulent Scheme: A further R985,000 was paid to a company claiming to provide investigative services for the Hawks. However, no such services were rendered. Plaartjies allegedly facilitated the payment, and the funds were later funneled to Davids.
The Hawks’ Response
Following months of meticulous investigations, authorities arrested the suspects in different parts of the country. The Hawks have confirmed that investigations into further financial irregularities at the university are ongoing.
Impact on the University
The University of Fort Hare has been the subject of multiple corruption investigations in recent years. This latest scandal highlights continued challenges in financial oversight at higher education institutions.
Authorities are urging the public and university stakeholders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activities.
The case will resume in the Alice Magistrate’s Court on 4 April 2025, where further developments are expected.
