By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The case against the five suspects linked to the murder of two Fort Hare Univeristy employees has been postponed until 4 May 2022 for a formal bail application.
They face charges in connection with the murder of Mboneli Vesele who was the bodyguard of the university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and fleet manager Peet Roets.
Roets was killed in a suspected hit in March last year, and Vesele was gunned down on 6 January this year.
The five arrested suspects, including two former UFH employees, were arrested over the weekend on multiple charges of murder and attempted murder of employees attached to the university.
They are Bongani Peter, Sicelo Mbulawa, Wanini Khuza, Mthobisi Khanyile and Mthobisi Dlamini/Zondo.
During the accused’s court appearance, UFH vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, Police Minister Bheki Cele, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Xolile Nqatha were all present in court amid heavy police presence.
Speaking to the media after court proceedings adjourned, Masemola said Peter faces charges for the murder of Roets and Vesele. He also faces additional charges of the attempted murders of Professor Buhlungu, Professor Renuka Vithal and Nozuko Mabombo as well as fraud and corruption.
Mbulawa, Khuza, and Khanyile face charges for the two murders including corruption and fraud.
Dlamini/Zondo also faces charges for the murders of Roets and Vesele and the attempted murders including possession of firearms and ammunition.
Masemola said more arrests were expected in the case.
“It’s not the end, there are still those who we are going to arrest in addition to those who appeared here today,” he said.
Professor Buhlungu welcomed the arrests of the five suspects and confirmed that Peter was a former fleet officer at UFH.
“He is on suspension for corruption. For us, it’s a shame that one of our own, not only has he been siphoning money from the fleet department, but he also has been planning the murders of some of us,” he said.
The vice-chancellor also confirmed that Khuza retired from the university four years ago while Mbulawa is a former Student Representative Council member.