UKZN corruption case resurfaces

A CORRUPTION case involving a Durban couple, their co-accused and the University of Kwazulu-natal (UKZN) is back in court, resurfacing after being struck off the court roll seven years ago.

Varsha and her husband Hiteshkumar Bhatt, and Preshni Hiramun this week appeared in the Durban Regional Court, along with Muhammad Haniff, Bhavik Bhatt, Salman Noor Mohamed and Mirriam Cassim.

In 2018 a magistrate withdrew the charges against Varsha and Hiteshkumar Bhatt and Hiramun after the State called for an adjournment. They were all summoned to appear in court this week. All seven accused are charged with corruption.

According to the charge sheet the accused are facing a criminal offence of contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Activities Act with the charges stemming from incidents between February and March 2017.

The state alleged that at or near the university’s Westville campus, the accused offered up to R50, 000 to Ruth Sekati, a senior education IT specialist at UKZN to manipulate UKZN’S IT system. The scheme purportedly aimed to facilitate the admission of individuals into the Bachelor of Pharmacy programme, despite their matric results or points not qualifying them to be admitted to the discipline.

Natasha Ramkisson-kara, National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, said after the matter was withdrawn from the court roll, further investigations were carried out.

“These have now been completed and have resulted in the re-enrolment of the matter. The accused have been charged with corruption.

“All the accused are on warning. The case returns to court on March 3, 2026 for a pre-trial conference,” said Ramkisson-kara.

Rajesh Singh of Roy Singh Attorneys, who is representing the Bhatts, said they were highly disappointed that after so many years the matter has resurfaced. “My clients are confident that they will be acquitted and that the matter will be put to rest,” said Rajesh.

Haniff’s lawyer, Sandeep Singh from RS Attorneys INC, said his client was shocked and surprised by this arrest. “He is not certain why his name is being dragged into this matter after so many years. He will fight this matter to the end to clear his name,” said Sandeep.

Jacques Botha, Hiramun’s legal representative, said the delays in the matter left much to be desired. “Based on the charge sheet the case should have been wrapped up within six to eight months of it first being opened. I have not seen the docket yet,” added Botha.

The ongoing saga is rooted in a wider investigation into admissions irregularities at UKZN’S medical school. UKZN in 2021 revealed that they had spent more than R73 million on Operation Clever – a four-year investigation into allegations of “places for sale” at its medical school, as well as other corrupt activities.

This followed a Sunday Tribune investigation in 2016 exposing the claims of bribery to secure placement at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine.

In a statement released four years ago, the university said 31 employees were implicated and had been suspended, with students and external parties also implicated. The information was revealed after Visham Panday launched a court application in terms of the access to information legislation in which he sought a copy of the final investigation report and other details relating to the probe.

According to the statement, the cost of the investigation at the time was R73, 560, 829.00, which comprised of:

■ Security services to preserve and protect evidence pertinent to the investigation.

■ Security services to protect the investigator, including accommodation at a safe house.

■ Necessary “covert operations”.

■ Forensic specialists.

“The KPMG report, commissioned in 2016 by previous Vice-chancellor and Principal Dr Albert Van Jaarsveld, focused on allegations of corruption involving admissions to the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, as well as colleges and university operations.

"The University at the time uncovered a criminal syndicate working together with a small number of UKZN employees to admit students to the medical school. The internal investigation was concluded, and the matter was handed over to the State criminal prosecuting authorities in 2017, including the Hawks, for further investigation and possible criminal prosecution," said Normah Zondo, Executive Director of Corporate Relations, in the statement issued in 2021.

Last month UKZN came under the spotlight again when the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education discovered “worrying” governance failures where a private security company allegedly “captured” the university's Risk Management Services.

A former employee who apparently resigned amid facing disciplinary charges, reportedly returned to control campus security operations through Ungoti Security Services, raising concerns about student safety and financial irregularities.

Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie made the finding during an oversight visit to the university’s Westville campus. The outcome of Letsie’s follow-up discussions with UKZN’S management is yet to be revealed.

AFRICA’S health sovereignty hangs in the balance. When policymakers, regulators, scientists and industry leaders converge in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa (SCOMRA VII), they’ll tackle the defining question of our generation: Can the continent forge true health independence?

Under the banner of Regulatory Harmonisation: Unlocking Africa’s Potential in Health Product Manufacturing and Trade, this three-day gathering (from November 11-13) 2025) represents more than a conference, as it’s a collective commitment to build the institutions, systems and trust that will secure Africa’s health future.

Organised by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the African Union Commission, Africa CDC and the African Medicines Agency (AMA), SCOMRA VII stands as Africa’s premier platform for evidence-based dialogue and policy alignment in medical products regulation.

It brings together over 500 delegates from across Africa and beyond, reaffirming that health regulation is not a technical exercise but a cornerstone of the continent’s economic and developmental agenda.

For decades, Africa’s health challenges have been defined by access, affordability and dependency on global supply chains. Yet behind every imported medicine or delayed vaccine lies a deeper problem of fragmented regulatory systems that slow down approval, stifle innovation and deter investment.

More than 90 percent of medicines used in Africa are imported, while less than one percent of vaccines are produced locally. This imbalance leaves the continent exposed to external shocks, pricing disparities, and shortages in times of crisis.

When health emergencies strike, as the world saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa often finds itself last in line for life-saving products.

The absence of harmonised regulatory systems means a medical product approved in one country can take years to gain approval in another, even when both face the same health threats. This inefficiency costs lives and undermines the continent’s ability to act decisively during crises.

SCOMRA exists to change this reality. Since its inception, the conference has driven the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonisation (AMRH) programme, which supports member states in aligning systems and processes so that medical products can be efficiently evaluated and approved across borders.

This initiative laid the foundation for the African Medicines Agency, Africa’s first continental body mandated to ensure that all medical products meet global standards of safety, efficacy and quality.

The 6th SCOMRA, held in Egypt in 2023, was a turning point. It marked the operationalisation of the Continental Reliance Framework, the launch of digital platforms such as E-CRES and RISP, and the creation of a Technical Committee to address substandard and falsified products. These achievements signalled a move from vision to implementation, anchoring Africa’s regulatory progress in accountability and measurable outcomes.

SCOMRA VII in Mombasa builds on this momentum. The discussions will explore how harmonised regulation can unlock industrial growth, accelerate access to medicines and strengthen health security.

The focus will not only be on aligning policies but also on ensuring that regulation serves citizens and industries alike.

The conference will address critical questions such as how Africa can strengthen regulatory capacity without adding bureaucracy, how local manufacturers can be supported to meet international standards and how digital tools can enhance transparency and efficiency.

The three-day event will open with an address by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, and will feature participation from some of Africa’s leading health figures. Among the keynote speakers are Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Director General of the African Medicines Agency; Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC; Professor Mohamed Janabi, Regional Director of WHO AFRO; and Amma Adomaa Twum-amoah, Commissioner for Health at the African Union Commission.

The opening session, moderated by Mr Symerre Grey-johnson, Director for Human Capital and Institutional Development at AUDA-NEPAD, will set the tone for Africa’s united call for regulatory cooperation as a driver of innovation, investment and trade.

Over five plenary sessions and fifteen parallel discussions, SCOMRA VII will unpack how regulatory harmonisation can catalyse pharmaceutical manufacturing, attract private investment and position Africa as a global health player.

Topics will include advancing the African Medicines Agency, harnessing artificial intelligence in regulation, pooled procurement and implementing international standards for convergence. Notable contributors include Dr Boitumelo Semete-makokotlela, CEO of South Africa’s Health Products Regulatory Authority; Dr Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency; Mr Hiiti Sillo of the WHO; and Dr Sarah Adam from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations.

One of the most anticipated outcomes of SCOMRA VII is the launch of the College for African Regulatory Science Professionals (CARSP). This new initiative will strengthen human and institutional capacity in medical product regulation by developing a network of skilled professionals equipped with modern tools and scientific expertise. The college represents Africa’s investment in its own people.

The implications of SCOMRA extend well beyond public health because effective regulation is the bedrock of industrialisation, innovation and trade.

Without harmonised standards, African manufacturers face barriers in gaining approval for products in neighbouring markets, and this undermines the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) as well as the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA). By aligning regulatory frameworks, the continent can unlock economies of scale, reduce duplication and build investor confidence. When a medicine approved in one African country is recognised across borders, patients gain faster access while governments save both time and resources.

Regulatory unity also strengthens Africa’s voice in global health governance. When the continent speaks with one voice on standards and safety, it commands greater influence in international trade and technology partnerships.

Harmonised systems therefore enable Africa not only to participate in global supply chains but also to shape them.

SCOMRA VII is more than a conference; it is a continental movement that transforms health ambition into action. It is where political leadership meets technical capacity and where Africa’s health independence becomes tangible.

The outcomes from Mombasa will define how the continent produces, regulates and trades its own health products. The decisions made at the conference will not only shape the future of African health systems but will also affirm the continent’s rightful place as an equal partner in global health governance.