Police are intensifying their responses to the recent violent and fatal attacks that have taken place in and around the University of Fort Hare.
Police Ministry Spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said Thursday that a multi-disciplinary team had been established to closely investigate the pattern of threats on the lives of the staff members of the institution.
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The development came after a high-profile visit to the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, (11 January 2023), led by Police Minister General Bheki Cele, Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa, and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola,
“The team which will report directly to the office of the National Commissioner is expected to commence its investigations into the murder of Mboneni Vesele who was killed over the weekend,” said Themba.
“Vesele was a close protector and driver of Fort Hare University Vice Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, he was killed while inside the professor’s vehicle.
“The scope of the investigative team will also include other alleged attempted hits on University staff, including the murder of Fort Hare University fleet manager, Petrus Roets, who was fatally shot last year in March.”
Police Minister General Cele said the high-level intervention was necessary and must produce results.
“It is quite clear that the local police are just not working fast enough in making arrests and this newly established national team, through its work, must send a strong message to criminals that this government will not be threatened or shaken and will certainly not back down or co-govern with criminals,” General Cele said.
The multi-disciplinary team will include Detectives, Forensic analysts, Crime Intelligence, members of organised crime, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI).
“As we start the academic year, we can’t afford to have anyone, be it a student, a lecturer, and even a groundsman or cleaner of this institution feel uneasy about their safety,” General Cele said.
“This is why the team must work closely with University staff and the intelligence community to crack the cases that will see the culprits go to jail.
“This, I am sure, will guarantee that this respected institution is not turned into a killing field.”
The high-level team of security cluster ministers and the SAPS management on Wednesday, (11 January 2023), visited the bereaved family of the slain protector Vesele.
“The delegation also met with the Vice Chancellor of Fort Hare University, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, who expressed his appreciation for ramped up police response from the National office, to prevent combat and investigate crime within the institution,” said Themba.
