The SAPS National Task Team responsible for investigating and arresting those responsible for murder and attempted murder cases at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has made another breakthrough with the arrest of a tenth suspect.
Isaac Plaatjies, the University’s Director responsible for Investigations and Vetting Services was arrested last week by police.
He made a brief appearance on Monday, 20 November 2023, at the Alice Magistrates’ Court. He will join nine others tomorrow where they will appear before the same court.
Below is a breakdown of the arrests effected so far by the police’s task team.
In April 2023 five (5) suspects were arrested and charged for all these cases.
•Bongani Peter: Chief Operating Transport Officer at Fort Hare University
•Wanini Khuza a retired Supervisor of drivers at University of Fort Hare East London Campus.
•Sicelo Mbulawa, Former SRC member and businessman who also provides services at the University of Fort Hare.
•Mthobisi Khanyile, a criminal from KZN who specialises in stolen vehicles (SUV & Bakkies) across the border of RSA.
•Mthobisi Dlamini a habitual housebreaker with over 15 house breaking and theft cases, operating in KZN mainly around Berea, Mayville and Morningside.
In May 2023 all five (5) were denied bail at Dimbaza Court, and Sicelo Mbulawa was granted R75 000 bail at Makhanda High court in November 2023 after his bail appeal.
In July 2023 a police officer attached to Maderia SAPS Detection Services Constable Lindokuhle Manjati was arrested, charged and added as accused 6.
In August 2023, Zimele Chiliza a taxi boss in KZN and the wife of the police officer who is an attorney, Pelisa Nkonyeni were arrested and charged and added as accused 7 and 8 respectively.
In September 2023, Thamsanqa Mgwetyana was successfully located hiding in KZN and was charged and added as accused 9.
On 17 November 2023 Isaac Plaatjies the University’s Director of Investigation and Vetting Services was arrested, charged and added as accused 10.
All ten accused will appear at Alice Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, Tuesday, 21 November 2023.
The Management of the SAPS led by the Deputy Minister of Police, Mr Cassel Mathale and the National Commissioner of SAPS, General Fannie Masemola will join proceedings at the Alice Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning.
The task team cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests as investigations are still continuing.
