THE Dikeni Magistrates Court has postponed the murder and attempted murder case related to the University of Fort Hare.
The ten accused individuals, including Isaac Plaatjies (59), made a brief court appearance on Tuesday, 21 November, with the case now rescheduled for 13 December.
This delay is pending the finalisation of bail applications for some of the accused.
Isaac Plaatjies, arrested on November 17, joins others, such as Bongani Peter (51), Sicelo Mbulawa (28), Wanini Khuza (69), Mthobisi Khanyile (28), Mthobisi Dlamini (30), Lindokuhle Manjati (31), Zimele Chiliza (36), Phelisa Nkonyeni (31), and Thamsanqa Mgotyana (47).
All the accused 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 facing additional charges of fraud.
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NPA spokesman Luxolo Tyali said: “The accused are charged for the murder of the institution fleet manager, Petrus Roets, and the university’s Vice-chancellor’s (VC) bodyguard, Richard Vesele, as well as the attempted murder of VC, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu and Deputy VC, Renuka Vithal.
“It is alleged that after he was appointed 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,” he said.
Threats to his life began, leading to the appointment of Richard Vesele as his bodyguard. Vesele was later killed in January, and Petrus Roets was murdered in May 2022.
The accused, with different roles in soliciting hitmen, housing them, and transporting them to the crime scenes, were arrested following police investigations.
Sicelo Mbulawa was granted bail, while bail applications for alleged hitmen Mthobisi Khanyile and Mthobisi Dlamini, as well as policeman Lindokuhle Manjati, were opposed by the state.
Bongani Peter and Wanini Khuza's bail applications will proceed on 27 November, while Zimele Chiliza, Phelisa Nkonyeni, Thamsanqa Mgotyana, and Isaac Plaatjies are scheduled for 30 November and 1 December.
