Another suspect nabbed in connection with Fort Hare murder cases

Another person has been arrested in connection with murder cases at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape.  This brings to six the number of arrests in connection with killings at the institution.

Lindokuhle Manjati 31, a police officer stationed at Mthatha’s Madeira police station, appeared briefly before the Alice Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Manjati is facing two murder and four attempted murder charges. He will be back in court on the 10th August for bail application.

In  June, the bail applications of three of the five men accused of killing two University of Fort Hare employees were denied in the Dimbaza Magistrate’s Court in the Eastern Cape. Accused number One and Two, Bongani Peter and Wanini Khuza, opted to abandon their bail applications. The accused are linked to the murder of the vice chancellor’s bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele and fleet manager, Petrus Roets.  They are facing murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of firearm charges.

In their closing arguments during the previous court appearance, their defence argued that the state’s case was weak, baseless and theoretical. Handing down his ruling, Magistrate Mhlanga Bala said the applicants – accused two, four and five – failed to give the court compelling reasons for their release and that the weakness of the case is subject for consideration at this stage.

Magistrate Bala also added if accused five, who breached his parole conditions in another case, was to be released on bail he is likely to commit more crimes.

Threat to society

The Magistrate added there is a likelihood that the applicants will influence witnesses or make it difficult for witnesses to continue in the case and they might pose a threat to the public.

“The bail application of accused two, four and five must fail. The matter is being hereby postponed to the 21st August for further investigation. Applicants are remanded in custody and the matter shall serve at the Alice Magistrate’s court,” said Bala.

Nkosinathi Vesele, the brother of the slain University of Fort Hare employee Mboneli Vesele, said the family welcomes the ruling.

“We have passed this phase, we cannot comment on allegations of defence attorneys as to who did what. The Magistrate was able to say he cannot let go of the evidence that is before the court. We will wait until the trial.”

The state says more arrests in connection with this case are imminent.

VIDEO: Bail denied to three of the five men accused of killing two University of Fort Hare employees: