THE ARREST OF EIGHT IN RELATION TO ALLEGED FRAUD AND CORRUPTION AT THE SOUTH CAPE TVET COLLEGE
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, commends the swift arrest by the law enforcement agencies and the commencement of the court case against five men accused of killing the University of Fort Hare’s transport manager, Petrus Roets, and the bodyguard of the university’s Vice Chancellor, Mboneli Vesele.
The five men appeared at the Alice Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape on the 11 April 2023.
Minister Nzimande is grateful that the law enforcement agencies ensured that perpetrators of these senseless killings are being arrested and that will face the full might of the law.
“During my media briefing held on the 11 January 2023 on the occasion of my stakeholder consultations at the University of Fort Hare, I said that the attacks on Mr Peter Roets and Mboneli Vesele were not only attacks on the University of Fort Hare only but also were attacks on the entire Post School Education and Training sector. I further said that the law enforcement agencies will apprehend those who responsible. Yesterday’s appearance in court of these five accused perpetrators is testament that the police worked tirelessly to bring the culprits to book,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande further said that he is looking forward to the arrest of other perpetrators who might have worked with those who already arrest in the killing of both Mr Roets and Velese.
“I hope this case will also serve as an example to deter those within our Post School Education and Training sector and society in general that crime and corruption is punishable by law and that both are an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies.
“Together with my officials, we remain determined to fight against any acts of corruption, maladministration and institutional capture everywhere where it occurs in all our Post School Education and Training institutions, including at the University of Fort Hare. This includes putting appropriate safety and security measures to protect both our employees and staff,” emphasised Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande is planning to have a follow up meeting with the university of Fort Hare Council and also visit the widow of Mr Vesele and their children.
In separate case involving the South Cape TVET College, Minister Nzimande has welcomed the arrest of eight people in connection with maladministration, fraud and collusion involving millions of rands, committed at the South Cape TVET College. The eight appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court earlier yesterday, 14 April 2023.
Minister Nzimande is against any forms of corruption and supports clean and accountable governance and adherence by both public servants and business that is offering services to the Department of Higher Education and Training and its entities. In this regard, the Minister says if there was wrong doing committed by any of the individuals arrest, the law must take its cause. The Minister will be following developments in this case very closely.
