By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
SA Police Service (SAPS) have confirmed five people will appear in the Alice Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with the murders of Mboneli Vesele, and Petrus Roets.
Vesele, who was the bodyguard of the University of Fort Hare’s vice chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu, and Roets, the fleet manager, were both brutally murdered earlier this year.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said they would face three charges in connection with the attempted murder of Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu and other senior officials, as well as charges of corruption at Fort Hare.
Mathe said the suspects were arrested following a lengthy investigation that involved extensive forensic and intelligence gathering efforts.
“We have managed to effect arrests and the suspects will be appearing in court tomorrow,” said Mathe.
Minister Bheki Cele and police commissioner General Fannie Masemola are set to brief the vice chancellor on Tuesday before attending court proceedings.
The University of Fort Hare, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in South Africa, has also issued a statement in response to the arrests, expressing its gratitude to the police and other law enforcement agencies for their efforts in bringing those responsible for the murders to justice.
The statement also reiterated the university’s commitment to the safety and well-being of its staff and students, and pledged to work closely with the authorities to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.