NPA NOTES THE JUDGEMENTS ON BAIL OF UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER ACCUSED
The NPA welcomes the Dimbaza Magistrates’ Court dismissal of the bail application of University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Director of Investigations and Vetting, Isaac Plaatjies (56), who is one of the ten accused for the murder of UFH fleet manager, Petrus Roets, and the university’s Vice-chancellor’s (VC) bodyguard, Richard Vesele, as well as attempted murder of VC, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu and Deputy VC, Renuka Vithal. The Magistrate, Zwelethu Ngetu agreed with prosecutions that the state has a strong case against Plaatjies and he may interfere with witnesses, more especially given that he had been working closely with the investigating team, thus privy to sensitive information about the case. Plaatjies did not testify in support of his bail application, neither did he justify his communication with the one of alleged hitmen.
Bongani Peter (51), Sicelo Mbulawa (28), Wanini Khuza (69), Mthobisi Khanyile (28), Mthobisi Dlamini (30), Lindokuhle Manjati (31), Zimele Chiliza (36), Phelisa Nkonyeni (31), Thamsanqa Mgotyana (47) and Plaatjies all face two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, reckless discharge of firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Peter, Mbulawa and Khuza are additionally charged with fraud.
The NPA also notes the judgment by the Magistrate, Eras Venter’s decision to release Mthatha-based attorney, Nkonyeni, and the alleged hitmen organiser, namely, Chiliza on bail. They were released on R50 000 and R100 000 bail, respectively. The court found the duo is not a flight risk and that it was not in the interest of justice for them to be kept in custody. The state successfully opposed the bail application of Nkoyeni’s policeman husband, Manjati, alleged hitmen Khanyile, Dlamini and Mgotyana.
It is alleged that after his appointment as UFH VC, Prof. Buhlungu discovered serious deals of maladministration, corruption, and fraud. He acted upon these discoveries and opened criminal cases as well as disciplinary proceedings against alleged culprits who occupied senior positions at the university. Consequently, he received threats on his life, leading to Vesele being appointed as his bodyguard. Vesele was killed in a hail of bullets on 06 January 2023. Before his killing, two shooting incidents happened, the third being the murder of Roets on 19 May 2022 on the Gonubie entrance near East London.
Police investigations led to the arrest of the ten who played different roles ranging between soliciting hitmen from KwaZulu Natal province, housing them and transporting them to the scenes of the crimes. Mbulawa was granted R75 000 bail. Judgment on the bail application of Peter and Khuza is expected to be delivered on 13 December 2023, on the same day as the main case.
