BETHLEHEM – The suspect accused of defrauding the University of the Free State (UFS) more than
R1 million in through a bogus student accommodation in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa is set to reappear in the Bethlehem Commercial Crimes Court on 5 February.
The accused (31) had his matter transferred to senior court following initial appearances in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrates’ Court.
His appearance and subsequent arrest are the culmination of an investigation by the Bethlehem’s Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. According to the findings, Khalane claimed the accommodation was in Phuthaditjhaba, Qwaqwa in the Eastern Free State.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said that the hearing regards the announcement of the trial date. She said an investigation has revealed that Khalane allegedly defrauded the university more than R1.5 million. He allegedly defrauded the institution through a bogus student accommodation.
Matoti said the accused had reportedly submitted an application to the UFS’ Qwaqwa campus to be considered for the provision of student accommodation. In his application, he claimed to have 215 rooms available to accommodate students.
Matoti said after Khalane’s application was approved, money was subsequently paid into his company’s business account between January 2023 and December 2024.
“However, during the verification process, the university discovered that the two stands provided in the application stood empty with no structure in rooms built as claimed in his submission,” said Matoti. She said the discovery prompted an investigation after a complaint was lodged and subsequent arrest.
Khalane is currently out on bail set at R5 000. The condition thereof includes reappearing at all scheduled court hearings.
