Businessman Anwar “Dog” Khan who was also the bodyguard of slain rapper Kiernan ‘AKA’s Forbes bodyguard is among the 15 people who have been arrested in connection with fraud and corruption at the University of Fort Hare.
Khan and 14 others appeared at the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape yesterday following their arrest over the Easter weekend. To date, a total of 25 people have been arrested linked to crimes at the University of Fort Hare, with some facing murder and attempted murder charges. Among the arrested are taxi bosses from KZN and a 31-year-old Eastern Cape cop Constable Lindokuhle Manjati. The accused are Isaac Plaatjies, Anna Smith, Paul Tladi, Lucrecia Davids, Mbulelo Gingcana, Loius Mawila, Nozuko Mabombo, Gosain van der Haar, Thamsanqa Sonjica, Terrence Joubert, Bradley Conradie, Sarah Burger, Craig Retief, and Nthabiseng Makhoba. Khan is the owner of The Pentagon Group, a private security agency based in KZN, and was AKA’s bodyguard for years.
The SAPS initially said the suspects faced a string of charges ranging from kidnapping, fraud, corruption, murder, and attempted murder. However, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed that all 15 faced charges of fraud, racketeering, and corruption.
These arrests come after, Fort Hare fleet manager Peet Roets was gunned down in May 2022, and in January 2023, his bodyguard Mboneli Vesele was shot and killed outside the University’s vice chancellor and principal Sakhela Buhlung’s house in what is believed to be a missed hit on the vice-chancellor. Reports stated that R5 million was allegedly issued for the murder of VC Buhlungu; R350,000 for Roets, and R3 million for another senior university member.
The national police commissioner of the SA Police Service, General Fannie Masemola said they wish to close this case and find justice. “They will continue to investigate and hunt those who are found to have had a hand in any wrongdoing,” Masemola said. Our focus is to bring before court, a case that will be able to stand in court with all the evidence that has been collected by the team.” The matter was adjourned until Wednesday for a formal bail application and the 15 accused will remain behind bars.