Fort Hare University murders: Police make major breakthrough

Police have made a major breakthrough in the Fort Hare University murder and attempted murder cases.

AUTHORITIES ARRESTED A TOTAL OF 15 MORE PEOPLE OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND

According to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police arrested 15 more people in the last couple of days.

“The suspects were arrested in various provinces over the Easter weekend including, Gauteng, the Eastern and Western Cape as well as KwaZulu-Natal.

“The fifteen suspects face a string of charges ranging from fraud, corruption, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder.”- Mathe said.

THEY FACE CHARGES RANGING FROM FRAUD, CORRUPTION, KIDNAPPING, MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER

Mathe stated that they expect the individuals to make their first court appearance on Tuesday, 02 April, at the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape.

She added that this brings the number of those arrested in this case to twenty-five suspects.

Reports indicate that over the weekend, authorities arrested fifteen individuals, including fourteen senior staff members from the University of Fort Hare, in connection with the institution’s murders.

HERE IS A COMPREHENSIVE TIMELINE:

• 2017: Professor Sakhela Buhlungu assumes the role of vice-chancellor at the University of Fort Hare.
• 2017-2019: The university experiences a series of protests from both students and staff.
• 2020: Buhlungu launches investigations and implements reforms after uncovering concerning practices and mismanagement, unwittingly becoming a target of alleged syndicates operating within the university.
• May 2022: Someone fatally shoots Petrus Roets, the university’s fleet manager and one of Buhlungu’s appointees, in Gonubie. Buhlungu and other key personnel receive protection.
• 5 August 2022: The Special Investigating Unit initiates a probe into tenders and degree programs at the university.
• January 2023: Bodyguard Mboneli Vesele is shot and killed outside Buhlungu’s residence, believed to be a failed assassination attempt on the vice-chancellor.
• April 2023:Authorities arrest and charge five suspects, including university staff and alleged hitmen. Initially, they deny bail applications, but later grant bail to one suspect, Sicelo Mbulawa.
• July 2023:Authorities arrest Constable Lindokuhle Manjati, a police officer from Mthatha, and he becomes the sixth accused.
• August 2023:Authorities add Zimele Chiliza, a taxi operator, and attorney Pelisa Nkonyeni as the seventh and eighth accused. They grant bail to both individuals.
• September 2023: Authorities apprehend Thamsanqa Mgwetyana, who was hiding in KwaZulu-Natal, and he becomes the ninth accused.
• 17 November 2023: During his bail hearing, the court describes Isaac Plaatjies, the university’s director of vetting and investigations, as dangerous and deceitful after arresting him, making him the tenth accused.

The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola, says the task team will continue to do their work without fear or favour.

“The team has been hard at work getting to the bottom of who is behind fraud, corruption, and the murders at the university. They will continue to investigate and hunt those who are found to have had a hand in any wrongdoing. 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,”- said General Masemola.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT 14 OF THE 15 INDIVIDUALS ARE SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS

On Tuesday, we expect General Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police, and General Fannie Masemola, the National Commissioner of the SAPS, to attend court proceedings.

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