Students oppose bail of res manager!

WALTER SISULU University residence manager Manelisi Mampana (54), who stands accused of the murder of Sisonke Mbolekwa (24), attempted murder of Lisa Ndzuma (19) and Ntando Gqetywa (19), possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, made a brief appearance at the Mthatha Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 22 April.

Mampana's case was postponed to 2 May 2025, for a formal bail application.

He appeared at the packed court, with students calling for the justice department not to grant him bail.

Mbolekwa was shot during a protest at the Walter Sisulu University Mthatha campus on Tuesday, 15 April.

He died on the scene, while Ndzuma and Gqetywa suffered serious injuries.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Ncedo Kolanisi, said Mbolekwa was shot from the back while retreating.

"This shows that the person who shot him is not trained to have a firearm. On top of that, he had an illegal firearm," he said.

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Walter Sisulu University council chairman, Professor Lulama Ngcukaitobi, in a statement said the university has set up a commission of enquiry to investigate and make recommendations for the actions of the council or senior management on matters involving significant risk to university as determined by council.

"Justice Chris Jafta was appointed as the chairman of the commission of inquiry assisted by advocate Bayethe Maswazi who will be the evidence leader.

"The attorney for the commission is Zincedile Tiya and Sizwe Nxasana will be a technical expert," he said.

He said the commission will investigate circumstances surrounding the shooting of Sisonke Mbolekwa, Ntando Gqetywa and Lisa Ndzuma on 15 April.

"The commission will investigate whether or not an employee of the institution conducted themselves appropriately, the allegations of breakdown in student discipline and governance at the Mthatha campus, allegations of excessive force and violence against students by security companies employed by the university and whether the security companies employed by the university have managed students protests in accordance with the Bill of rights," he said.