‘Key’ Fort Hare murder accused denied bail
One of the key accused in the Fort Hare University murders has been denied bail in the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court.
Magistrate Zwelethu Ngetu on Monday rejected the bail application of 56-year-old Isaac Plaatjies, the university's Director for Investigations and Vetting Services.
Plaatjies and his nine co-accused are implicated in the murders of university fleet manager Petrus Roets, the vice-chancellor’s bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, as well as the attempted murder of the vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu and his deputy, Renuka Vithal.
In denying bail, Magistrate Zwelethu Ngetu, found that Plaatjies had a case to answer.
He said Plaatjies had failed to explain why his cell phone was the source of the murder hit list, with the names and photos of the university's senior staff members.
The father of five, who said that he was not a flight risk, also allegedly made calls to the hitman and visited the hitman where he was accommodated before the hit on Vesele.
Ngetu labeled Plaatjies a dangerous and dishonest person and said he may interfere with state witnesses, and evidence, or put the lives of the VC and his deputy at risk.
The bail hearing of the co-accused continues.
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