Fraud suspect in R550k Sol Plaatje University contract scam granted bail

A 36-YEAR-old woman, Dikeledi Pauline Mogorosi, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week after being arrested by the Hawks on allegations of theft, fraud and money laundering linked to a Sol Plaatje University contract.

According to Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe, the case stems from a R557,400 maintenance contract awarded to Civil Sense Consulting in April 2024. After the company completed its work, the university confirmed payment for the services. However, when the service provider disputed receiving the funds, an internal probe was launched.

Investigators uncovered that the money had been deposited into a fraudulent bank account after the university received an e-mail — purportedly from Civil Sense Consulting — instructing them to change their account details. The matter was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team, which eventually arrested Mogorosi.

Mogorosi made a brief appearance in court on September 12, where she was granted R2,000 bail. The case has been postponed to October 10 for the possible addition of further accused, and more arrests are expected.