GROUNDUP: UJ official must pay back R18m over student housing bribes
Labour Court finds Andries Helani accepted more than R3.2-million in payments linked to private student accommodation providers.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) official Andries Helani must repay over R18 million for bribes and fraudulent contracts related to private student accommodation providers, according to the Johannesburg Labour Court. Helani, who served as the head of student affairs from January 2017 to March 2024, was accused of accepting more than R3.2 million in payments from private accommodation providers, including Mahlatse Investments and Mahlatse Properties.
These payments were made through 366 separate transactions between March 2021 and March 2024, without Helani declaring any conflicts of interest or outside business relationships. The court found that Helani had not accurately reported the accreditation process for two accredited properties, which had significantly fewer beds than promised.
Additionally, students testified to receiving payments to register at these properties, despite never residing there. UJ's tender committee relied on Helani's reports during the accreditation process, and he claimed to have sold a property to Mahlatse Investments without providing proof. The court described Helani's explanations as "far-fetched" and noted that maintaining his credibility was remarkable.
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