Mthatha campus erupts as students rally against bail for accused in deadly protest shooting
Students at Walter Sisulu University and their parents are protesting at the university's Mthatha campus against the release of residence manager Manelisi Mampane (54), who is accused of shooting dead Sisonke Mbolekwa (24) and injuring two students during a protest in April over housing conditions.
Mampane was arrested on 17 April 2025 in Mthatha. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder, and was released on bail of R10,000 at Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 3 June 2025. This has led to anger and frustration for students and their parents. According to the students, Mampane should have stayed in prison, and bail should not have been granted.
'Mampane should have stayed in jail for the rest of his life because the child that he killed will not come back,' said a student at the protest who wished to remain anonymous.
Ayabonga Ndzumo, the mother of Lizwa Ndzumo, one of the two students who were shot and injured, told Daily Maverick that she had also joined the protest, and that the police were shooting teargas at them.
The spokesperson for the Mbolekwa family, Ncedo Kolanisi, who spoke with Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday, said: 'We are shocked; we saw signs of the magistrate being biased. My suspicions are certain fans of the accused have got to him… He ignored that Lizwa cannot move freely as a student of Walter Sisulu..,' said Kolanisi.
Another student at the university, Oneltiha Mbonana, told Daily Maverick that Mampane should not have received bail.
'…Now students decided to protest and close the school; they got arrested or died. This is a court matter and students choose to close the N2,' said Mbonana.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has deployed police to the institution, and three students have been arrested, and they will be facing charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure and damage to property.
'The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso, stated: 'We appeal for calm as we patiently allow legal processes to unfold. We encourage those who are aggrieved to channel grievances through lawful avenues.' Major-General Kupiso appealed to the students to honor the victim's memory through constructive, non-violent means, ' read an SAPS media statement released on Wednesday morning.
According to SAPS Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana the murder investigation remained active, had been prioritised, and was ongoing. The SAPS said it would continue to collaborate closely with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to pursue justice through legal channels.
The protest is ongoing. Daily Maverick reached out to Walter Sisulu University for comment, and we will update the article once this is received or more information is available. DM
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