Six suspects appeared briefly at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday 19 March 2018, on allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
It is alleged that University of South Africa (Unisa) payroll administrator, Thandie Esbie (48), allegedly colluded and manipulated the bursary system by creating ghost students.
Almost R1,7 million was allegedly lost in two years by the South African Agency for Science and Technology (SAAST) under the administration of the National Research Foundation of South Africa.
On Friday last week the Hawks team paid a visit to the Universities main campus in Pretoria and arrested Esbie whilst the other five syndicate members were picked up at their respective homes in and around Pretoria.
Gauteng Hawks Head Major General Prince Mokotedi commended the investigation team and declared that the Hawks will stand firm in fighting corporate corruption activities in the country. He said the public also have a responsibility to act against any corrupt activities and urged them to report any unlawful conducts to the law enforcement authority.
Meanwhile, the case has been postponed to 16 May this year pending further investigations.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
