A Mthatha businessman was yesterday granted R10 000 bail after appearing in court on charges of forgery. He is accused of faking University of Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s signature to get a R9.5-million loan from a bank.
Wandisile Mti, 58, handed himself over to the Hawks yesterday. He was with his lawyer.
According to Eastern Cape Hawks provincial spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni, the businessman allegedly signed a lease agreement on November 17 with UFH to accommodate students at his block of flats in East London.
“It is further alleged that the businessman used the letter to obtain a loan of approximately R9.5-million from a bank in Mthatha.
“The bank approved the loan and paid it out,” she said.
However, in December, the Hawks started an investigation after the university alerted them that it had not signed a lease agreement with the businessman.
Initially, the Daily Dispatch was told that Mti was facing charges of fraud relating to the R9-million but when he appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court, it was revealed that he was only facing a forgery charge.
Although Feni did not want to comment on whose signature was forged, UFH spokesman Khotso Moabi confirmed that it was Buhlungu’s signature that was forged.
“It was the university that alerted the Hawks to the infringement,” he said adding that they were also happy that the law enforcement agency had effected an arrest.
He said the institution was disappointed by the faked documents, and said there were unscrupulous landlords who were trying to take advantage of the institution.
When contacted for comment on the matter, Buhlungu confirmed that he had personally laid charges after discovering what had allegedly transpired.
The academic said Mti might have received help from UFH employees.
“This year we are going to show zero tolerance to fraud and corruption. We will double our efforts working with law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Buhlungu also said they were hoping that investigations would reveal those who might be involved in the alleged forgery.
Earlier yesterday, Feni had told the Dispatch that as part of their investigations, they had enlisted the services of handwriting experts who were able to prove that the signature used on Mti’s letter did not belong to Buhlungu.
There was a bit of drama during the suspect’s court appearance when his lawyer argued that he would not be able to raise the R15000 bail that had been proposed by the state.
The case was postponed to March 28 for further investigation.
Businessman accused of forging UFH VC’s signature out on R10 000 bail
A Mthatha businessman was yesterday granted R10 000 bail after appearing in court on charges of forgery. He is accused of faking University of Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s signature to get a R9.5-million loan from a bank.
Wandisile Mti, 58, handed himself over to the Hawks yesterday. He was with his lawyer.
According to Eastern Cape Hawks provincial spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni, the businessman allegedly signed a lease agreement on November 17 with UFH to accommodate students at his block of flats in East London.
“It is further alleged that the businessman used the letter to obtain a loan of approximately R9.5-million from a bank in Mthatha.
“The bank approved the loan and paid it out,” she said.
However, in December, the Hawks started an investigation after the university alerted them that it had not signed a lease agreement with the businessman.
Initially, the Daily Dispatch was told that Mti was facing charges of fraud relating to the R9-million but when he appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court, it was revealed that he was only facing a forgery charge.
Although Feni did not want to comment on whose signature was forged, UFH spokesman Khotso Moabi confirmed that it was Buhlungu’s signature that was forged.
“It was the university that alerted the Hawks to the infringement,” he said adding that they were also happy that the law enforcement agency had effected an arrest.
He said the institution was disappointed by the faked documents, and said there were unscrupulous landlords who were trying to take advantage of the institution.
When contacted for comment on the matter, Buhlungu confirmed that he had personally laid charges after discovering what had allegedly transpired.
The academic said Mti might have received help from UFH employees.
“This year we are going to show zero tolerance to fraud and corruption. We will double our efforts working with law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Buhlungu also said they were hoping that investigations would reveal those who might be involved in the alleged forgery.
Earlier yesterday, Feni had told the Dispatch that as part of their investigations, they had enlisted the services of handwriting experts who were able to prove that the signature used on Mti’s letter did not belong to Buhlungu.
There was a bit of drama during the suspect’s court appearance when his lawyer argued that he would not be able to raise the R15000 bail that had been proposed by the state.
The case was postponed to March 28 for further investigation.
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