Johannesburg – At least 15 suspects have been arrested for murder and attempted murder cases at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in the Eastern Cape.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Task Team investigating murder and attempted murder cases arrested the suspects over the Easter weekend in Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.
This brings the number of those arrested in this case to 25.
Last year in May it emerged during the bail hearing of other suspects that there was a R5 million reward offered for the killing of UFH vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.
The alleged hitmen were named as Bongani Peter, Sicelo Mbulawa, Wanini Khiwa, Mthobisi Khanyile, and Mthobisi Zando Dlamini.
They were linked to the murders of the university’s fleet manager, Petrus Roets, and Mboneli Vesele, who was the vice-chancellor’s bodyguard.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, on Sunday said the arrested suspects face a string of charges including fraud, corruption, kidnapping, murder, and attempted murder.
The suspects are expected to appear at the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, (2 April 2024),
The National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola said the task team will continue to do their work without fear or favour.
“The team has been hard at work in getting to the bottom of who is behind fraud, corruption, and the murders at the university,” said General Masemola.
“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.“
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the Police Minister General Bheki Cele and General Masemola are expected to attend court proceedings on Tuesday.
