Five appeared in court for Fort Hare murders

Five people, including the former fleet officer, were arrested for the Fort Hare University (UFH) murders.

THE FIVE WERE ARRESTED, AND THEY APPEARED IN COURT ON TUESDAY

According to a report by News24, the five appeared briefly in the Alice Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the murders of UFH fleet manager Petrus Roets and the vice chancellor’s bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele.

Roets, a beloved father, was shot and killed in a suspected hit in March last year, and Vesele was gunned down on 6 January this year.

THE UFH FLEET MANAGER PETRUS ROETS WAS SHOT AND KILLED LAST YEAR

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The 60-year-old Roets was brutally gunned down in his vehicle during peak traffic in Gonubie, East London

The five arrested suspects, including two former UFH employees, were arrested over the weekend on multiple charges of murder and attempted murder of employees attached to the university.

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Here are the five accused:

HERE ARE THE NAMES OF THE FIVE ACCUSED

Bongani Peter
Sicelo Mbulawa
Wanini Khuza
Mthobisi Khanyile
Mthobisi Dlamini/Zondo

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the management of the South African Police Service(SAPS) led by both the Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola attended the first court appearance.

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POLICE MINISTER AND MEC NQATHA ATTENDED THE COURT PROCEEDINGS

UFH vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and the Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Xolile Nqatha were also in court amid heavy police presence.

Masemola told the media outside the court that Peter faces charges for the murder of Roets and Vesele. He also faces additional charges of the attempted murders of Professor Buhlungu, Professor Renuka Vithal and Nozuko Mabombo, as well as fraud and corruption.

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THE FORMER FLEET MANAGER IS ONE OF THE ACCUSED

Mbulawa, Khuza, and Khanyile face charges for the two murders, including corruption and fraud.

Dlamini/Zondo also faces charges for the murders of Roets and Vesele and the attempted murders, including possession of firearms and ammunition.

Masemola said more arrests were expected in the case.

THE FIVE WERE REMANDED IN POLICE CUSTODY

The five arrested were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 4 May 2023 for their bail applications.