Alleged Fort Hare hitmen arrested in Gauteng
National police commissioner Fannie Masemola has announced the arrest of two of the three suspected hitmen who were wanted for the 2023 murder of Mboneli Vesele in Dikeni (formerly Alice).
He was the bodyguard to Fort Hare University vice chancellor, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu, who was believed to have been the target.
Vesele died in a hail of bullets outside the VC's house in January 2023.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Masemola wants to thank the public and social media users who assisted investigators in tracking down the perpetrators.
She said that last November, they published photos of the suspects, Bafana Chiliza, Nkosiyazi Maphumulo, and Siphiwo Jejane, and requested the public's assistance in tracking down the three suspects after obtaining an arrest warrant for them.
Mathe said on 21 June, the team proceeded to Zakkariya Park in Johannesburg following “intelligence and information from members of the public”.
“Two of the three hitmen were arrested. The SAPS confirms Bafana Chiliza and Nkosiyazi Maphumulo are in custody and will be charged accordingly,” she said.
They were due to appear in court in Dikeni on Monday.
Mathe said the latest arrests bring the total number of suspects arrested in relation to the Fort Hare murders to 12.
“Ten others were arrested since 2023, with some still in police custody.
“Police are still searching for the third hitman, Siphiwo Jejane. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact Warrant Officer Nkosi on 0825575789 or Sergeant Mokoena on 0818517758.”
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