EASTERN CAPE - The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team has made another major breakthrough in the University of Fort Hare fraud case involving multi-million-rand fraud, money laundering and corruption on 03 April 2025.
The team arrested the fourth suspect 46-year-old Craig Retief, intensifying the pressure on those implicated in the high-profile case.
Retief appeared at the Alice Magistrate’s Court on 04 April 2025, joining his co-accused the former Acting Chief Financial Officer Simbongile Geqeza (41), former Head of Investigation and Vetting Isaac Plaartjies (57) and family friend Claudine Davids (44).
Their arrests follow a meticulously coordinated Hawks operation spanning multiple provinces. During their initial court appearance on 02 April 2025, Geqeza, Plaartjies and Davids were each granted bail of R10 000-00. Retief, who was arrested a day later was also granted bail of R10 000-00 during his court appearance.
The case has been transferred to the East London Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, with the next court date set for 23 May 2025.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, praised the dedication of the investigators. “Our team worked tirelessly in revealing the truth and ensuring that those who abuse their positions for personal enrichment face the full might of the law and the team will continue to follow the evidence wherever it leads.”
Comments
Post a Comment