Police have made a breakthrough in the high-profile University of Fort Hare (UFH) murder case, arresting two men believed to be part of a hit squad responsible for the assassination of Mboneli Vesele, the personal bodyguard of UFH Vice Chancellor Professor Sakhele Buhlungu.
SAPS make major breakthrough in University of Fort Hare bodyguard murder
Vesele was gunned down on 6 January 2023 while sitting in a vehicle outside the Vice Chancellor’s home in Alice, Eastern Cape. According to police, three suspects drove up in a maroon vehicle and opened fire, killing him at the scene.
On 21 June 2025, following a public appeal and months of investigation, police arrested Bafana Chiliza and Nkosiyazi “Dipopoz” Maphumulo in Zakkariya Park, Johannesburg.
The arrests follow the issuance of a J50 warrant — a legal document authorising police to detain suspects wanted for serious crimes — for three men in November 2024.
The third suspect, Siphiwo “Spijojo” Jejane, remains at large.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola expressed gratitude to the public for their role in locating the suspects.
“Members of the public play a significant role in assisting the work of the police in apprehending wanted suspects. We thank all stakeholders for playing their part,” he said.
The arrest of Chiliza and Maphumulo brings the total number of suspects detained in relation to the Fort Hare attacks to twelve.
Ten others — including university staff members — were previously arrested between 2023 and 2024. They face charges ranging from murder and attempted murder to kidnapping, fraud, and illegal possession of firearms.
The killing of Vesele is part of a wider investigation into violent incidents at the university linked to alleged tender corruption. Reports suggest that some suspects, including senior UFH staff members, orchestrated murders to secure lucrative contracts for campus security services.
Among the accused is Isaac Plaatjies, the university’s former head of investigations and vetting services. He, along with several others, is facing charges related to the murders of both Vesele and university fleet manager Petrus Roets.
Despite these violent events, UFH has continued to operate and excel academically. The university recently received seven awards from the Marketing Advancement Communication in Education (MACE), including recognition for research excellence.
SAPS continues to appeal to the public for information on the whereabouts of Siphiwo Jejane, the remaining suspect. Anyone with details is encouraged to report to local police or the nearest police station.
