The University of Fort Hare's director of investigations and vetting services has been arrested in connection with the murders of staff at the institution since last year. The suspect, Isaac Plaatjies, will join nine other suspects who were arrested over the past few months at the Alice Magistrates Court this morning in the Eastern Cape.
THE MURDERS
The accused are facing charges relating to the murders of Mboneli Vesele and Msingathi Langa, who were both the university Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu's bodyguards and fleet manager Petrus Roets last year and in May this year respectively. Buhlungu's second bodyguard, Langa, was killed in a hit-and-run in May this year while Vesele was gunned down on 6 January 2022 when Buhlungu's car was shot at, outside his house in Alice. Roets was killed in a hail of bullets in May 2022. Langa was reportedly a key witness in the case of the first two murders in the case of the five suspects who were arrested earlier this year and are alleged to be part of the VC assassination plot. There have been various attacks on the university staff members between January and April this year and this resulted in the VC contacting President Cyril Ramaphosa for urgent intervention. Last year, the President authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of corruption and serious maladministration at the university since 2012, in regard to four contracts and the awarding of honours degrees at the institution.
POLICE MANAGEMENT TO JOIN COURT PROCEEDINGS
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the SAPS National Task Team responsible for investigating and arresting those responsible for the murder and attempted murder cases at Fort Hare made another breakthrough and arrested Plaatjies last week. "He made a brief appearance on Monday at the Alice Magistrates Court. He will join nine others this morning where they will appear before the same court," Mathe said. She added that the SAPS management led by the deputy minister of police Cassel Mathale and the National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will join proceedings when all accused appear in court this morning. "The task team cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests as investigations are still continuing," she added.
THE SUSPECTS
In April 2023 five suspects were arrested and charged for all these cases. Bongani Peter, chief operating transport officer, Wanini Khuza, a retired supervisor of drivers at the East London Campus, Sicelo Mbulawa, former SRC member and businessman who also provides services at the university,
Mthobisi Khanyile, a criminal from KZN who specialises in stolen vehicles (SUVs & bakkies) across the border of RSAM and Mthobisi Dlamini a habitual housebreaker with over 15 house-breaking and theft cases, operating in KZN mainly around Berea, Mayville and Morningside were apprehended for their hand in the case.
In May 2023 all five were denied bail at Dimbaza Court, and Sicelo Mbulawa was granted R 75 000 bail at Makhanda High Court in November 2023 after his bail appeal.In July 2023 a police officer attached to Maderia SAPS Detection Services,Constable Lindokuhle Manjati was arrested, charged and added as accused 6.
In August 2023, Zimele Chiliza a taxi boss in KZN and the wife of the police officer who is an Attorney, Pelisa Nkonyeni were arrested and charged and added as accused 7 and 8 respectively.
In September 2023, Thamsanqa Mgwetyana was successfully located hiding in KZN and was charged and added as accused 9.
On the 17th November 2023 I,saac Plaatjies the University's Director of Investigation and Vetting Services was arrested, charged and added as accused 10.
