By Zukile Majova
- Police have issued arrest warrants for three more suspects in the Fort Hare killings, while five others face charges for murdering staff members.
- The violence forced university head Professor Buhlungu to seek presidential help after his investigation into degree selling led to attacks on staff
Police are searching for three more suspects in the murder of Fort Hare University bodyguard Mboneli Vesele, who was killed while protecting the university principal.
Vesele guarded Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, who was investigating claims that degrees were being sold at the university. He was shot dead outside Buhlungu’s home in early 2023.
“We believe these three suspects have answers about who killed Mr Vesele and why,” said police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe. “They must hand themselves in at any police station.”
Meanwhile, the court heard that the five people already arrested were planning more killings at Fort Hare. They are linked to the murders of fleet manager Petrus Roets and two of the principal’s bodyguards, including Vesele.
Police caught the first suspect, Bongani Peter, with photos and names of people. Prosecutors claim this was a hit list.
Three former university employees and two KwaZulu-Natal hitmen are already behind bars.
The attacks were so severe that Professor Buhlungu had to call President Cyril Ramaphosa for help.
Pictured above: Mboneli Vesele, the late bodyguard of Fort Hare University vice-chancellor.
Source: Fort Hare University
