Fort Hare – Two suspects have been arrested in Gauteng for their alleged involvement in the murder of a university vice chancellor’s bodyguard, marking a major breakthrough in the high-profile Fort Hare killings.
JOHANNESBURG – In a significant development in the investigation surrounding the University of Fort Hare murder case, two suspects linked to the assassination of a bodyguard have been apprehended.
The suspects, identified as Bafana Chiliza and Nkosiyazi Maphumulo, were arrested in Zakkariya Park, Gauteng, nearly two weeks ago. They are accused of playing a key role in the 2023 murder of Mboneli Vesele, the personal Bodyguard Case to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare.
Connection to Larger Fort Hare Crime Network
The arrest of the two men is part of a broader investigation into multiple attacks and assassinations connected to the University of Fort Hare. The institution has been plagued by a series of violent incidents that police believe are linked to efforts to clean up corruption at the university.
Vesele, the slain bodyguard, was fatally shot in January 2023 while sitting inside a vehicle outside the residence of Vice Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu in Alice, Eastern Cape. He was reportedly waiting for Buhlungu when the attack occurred. The brazen nature of the killing shocked the academic community and sparked widespread calls for accountability and justice.
South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the latest arrests, stating that a specialized unit executed the operation on 21 June 2025 in Zakkariya Park.
“I can confirm that on 21 June 2025, the team proceeded to Zakkariya Park in Johannesburg. Two of the three hitmen were arrested. The SAPS confirms that Bafana Chiliza and Nkosiyazi Maphumulo are now in custody and will be charged accordingly,” said Mathe.
Authorities believe that Vesele’s murder was not a random act of violence but rather a targeted hit related to his protective role around the vice chancellor. The motive, investigators say, may be tied to the vice chancellor’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the institution.
While the recent arrests have brought some relief, one key suspect remains at large. Siphiwo Jejane, who was also publicly identified by the police in 2023, is still being sought by authorities. His capture is crucial to understanding the full scope of the plot and the network behind the murder.
Police had previously released the photographs of all three suspects, appealing to the public for information. With Chiliza and Maphumulo now in custody, attention has shifted toward locating and arresting Jejane.
The two suspects arrested this month are not the first to be linked to the Fort Hare murder investigations. In 2023, ten individuals were arrested in connection with various crimes tied to the university, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder.
The arrests are part of a larger investigation believed to involve criminal syndicates targeting officials at the university. Professor Buhlungu, who survived the attack that claimed the life of his Bodyguard Case, has reportedly faced multiple threats to his life due to his role in exposing alleged corruption.
Chiliza and Maphumulo are expected to appear in the Alice Magistrates Court in the Eastern Cape on Monday, where they will face murder charges along with possible additional charges related to organized crime.
The upcoming court appearance is seen as a critical step toward justice for the late Mboneli Vesele and his grieving family. It also signals the state’s commitment to holding those responsible for university-related violence accountable.
The University of Fort Hare case has become a symbol of the risks faced by whistleblowers and reformers in South Africa’s academic sector. The killing of Vesele, an innocent Bodyguard Case merely doing his duty, raised serious questions about the protection of individuals working alongside high-profile figures tackling institutional corruption.
As the “bodyguard arrested” headline circulates in the media, there’s growing pressure on the South African government and law enforcement agencies to provide enhanced security for public servants and to fast-track investigations into politically and financially motivated crimes.
While the arrests of Chiliza and Maphumulo represent a positive development in the bodyguard case, the journey toward full justice is far from over. With one suspect still on the run and multiple layers of the conspiracy yet to be uncovered, the Fort Hare murder case continues to unfold.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of Siphiwo Jejane to come forward. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the Alice Magistrates Court this week as the suspects face the judicial process.
Source- EWN
