Five NWU Vaal Campus Students Granted Bail in Deadly Vanderbijlpark Stabbing Case
Five female students from North-West University’s (NWU) Vaal Campus have been released on bail of R1,500 each following their arrest on a Schedule 5 murder charge.
The accused, Masego Tswai, Nomathemba Motlomelo, Bonolo Motsela, Katlego Machobane, and Tebello Finger appeared before Magistrate Norman Wessels at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.
According to evidence presented by investigating officer Daniel Mokone, the fatal incident occurred on 23 September 2026 on Moseley Street in Vanderbijlpark. The court heard that the deceased and his cousin encountered the five women and an additional male companion.
A heated confrontation allegedly erupted after the deceased and his cousin approached the female students to propose a romantic relationship. During the subsequent altercation, the victim was fatally stabbed in the neck.
The State did not oppose bail during the formal hearing. Prosecutors took into consideration that all five accused are active university students, possess verifiable fixed addresses, and have no previous criminal records.
While granting the R1,500 bail, Magistrate Wessels attached strict conditions to their release. The students have been ordered to report weekly to their respective local police stations and refrain from making any form of contact with case witnesses.
The case has now been officially transferred to the Regional Court for trial. The matter is expected to return to court on 24 November 2026. At this stage, the allegations against the five students remain unproven and will be fully tested through the upcoming legal proceedings.