Latest news with #Mampane
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
WSU Protest: Students to appear in court after violence erupts over bail decision
Five Walter Sisulu University students will appear in court on Thursday. Five people arrested in connection with violent protests at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape are expected to appear in court on Thursday. According to police, protests turned violent at the institution's Mthatha main campus after news emerged residence manager, Manelisi Mampane, was granted R10,000 bail by the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mampane is accused of fatally shooting student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a protest in April this year. At the time, the students who were protesting over the poor condition of residences were reportedly marching towards the manager's on-campus residence when live shots were fired.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Police respond to new WSU student protest
Three WSU students were arrested during Wednesday's protest and face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Fresh student demonstrations erupted at Walter Sisulu University's Mthatha campus on Wednesday morning, prompting police deployment and the closure of the N2 highway. Students protested the bail release of a residence manager accused of murdering a fellow student. The protests began in the early hours of Wednesday, at approximately 5 am, with students burning tyres and blocking the main N2 road between Durban and the town centre. Police responded with rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, who shielded themselves with cardboard and foam materials while wearing balaclavas to avoid identification. Two police officers have reportedly been injured during a confrontation with the protesting students. Background to the new WSU protest The demonstrations stem from Tuesday's court decision to release Manelisi Mampane, a 54-year-old residence manager, on R10 000 bail. Mampane faces charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder following the fatal shooting of 24-year-old student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a campus protest in April. The original April protest involved students demonstrating over poor residence conditions and maintenance issues. During that demonstration, Mbolekwa was allegedly shot and killed by the residence manager, while other students sustained injuries. Police response to WSU unrest and the suspect's release The South African Police Service (Saps) on Wednesday morning distanced itself from the judicial decision to release Mampane, while acknowledging the community's distress. Police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana emphasised that the bail decision was beyond police authority. 'Saps acknowledges the ongoing student protests at the Walter Sisulu University at Mthatha campus, concerning the court-ordered release of a murder suspect linked to the death of Sisonke Mbolekwa,' Gantana said. 'We recognise the profound distress this case has caused within the university community.' Gantana reinforced constitutional rights while emphasising legal boundaries: 'Saps affirms the constitutional right to peaceful protest (Section 17) but emphasises its mandate to ensure public safety, protect infrastructure, and uphold the rule of law without interfering in judicial independence.' Gantana explained that the suspect's release was directed by the court under standard legal procedures. 'Saps has no authority over judicial decisions,' she stated. ALSO READ: Walter Sisulu University murder case: Magistrate accused of bias after employee granted R10k bail Ongoing investigation and arrests Despite the bail release, police confirmed that their investigation remains active. 'The murder investigation remains active, prioritised, and ongoing. We continue to collaborate closely with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to pursue justice through legal channels,' Gantana indicated. Three students were arrested during Wednesday's protest and face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Police condemned the violent aspects of the demonstration, stating: 'We condemn reported acts of vandalism, arson, road blockades, or intimidation. Such criminal conduct diverts critical resources from the investigation and undermines the pursuit of justice.' Provincial leadership appeals for calm Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso made a direct appeal to the student community. 'We appeal for calm as we patiently allow legal processes to unfold. We encourage those who are aggrieved to channel grievances through lawful avenues,' Kupiso stated. The police leadership acknowledged the emotional aspect of the situation while calling for restraint. 'Emotional solidarity is understood, but unlawful actions jeopardise the justice we collectively seek. Saps remains unwavering in its commitment to solving this crime and securing accountability through due process,' Kupiso concluded. READ MORE: Walter Sisulu University's protest shooting denial Family's allegations and legal action According to Newzroom Afrika, the victim's family expressed deep disappointment with Tuesday's bail decision, with their spokesperson alleging judicial bias. The family reportedly believes the presiding magistrate showed favouritism during proceedings and plans to file a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission. They also announced intentions to appeal the bail decision. WSU protests impact on academic activities The ongoing unrest has disrupted university operations, with academic activities reportedly halted for approximately six weeks due to the incidents surrounding Mampane's arrest and subsequent bail release. Students who spoke to the media indicated their determination to continue the protests until justice is served. The protests have also affected local traffic patterns, with the closure of the N2 highway forcing motorists to seek alternative routes through residential areas not typically used for heavy traffic flow. Police officers have been directing traffic around the protest areas. Police have appealed to students to honour Mbolekwa's memory through constructive, non-violent means while allowing the legal system to proceed through proper channels. NOW READ: Boy shot dead in Westbury as 'gang members roam freely'
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Anger at WSU as students protest bail for residence manager accused of murder
Burned tyres and rocks litter the N2 outside WSU's Mthatha campus following a protest over the release of a murder suspect. Image: Facebook Three students from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) were arrested on Wednesday after a protest over the court-ordered release of a residence manager accused of murder. The protest turned violent at the institution's Mthatha main campus after news emerged residence manager Manelisi Mampane was granted a R10,000 bail by the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Mampane is accused of fatally shooting student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a protest in April this year. Videos circulating on social media showed some students throwing stones at police officers who responded to the scene. IOL News previously reported that Mampane is facing charges of murder and two counts of attempted murder after two other students were also injured in the incident. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the arrests and acknowledged the deep frustration in the university community following the court's decision. 'We recognise the profound distress this case has caused within the university community,' Gantana said. 'SAPS affirms the constitutional right to peaceful protest under Section 17 but emphasises our mandate to ensure public safety, protect infrastructure, and uphold the rule of law without interfering in judicial independence.' Gantana said the court determined Mampane's release under standard legal procedures, and that police have no authority over judicial decisions. She added that the murder investigation remains active, prioritised, and ongoing in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). She condemned acts of vandalism, arson, intimidation, and road blockades during the protest. 'Such criminal conduct diverts critical resources from the investigation and undermines the pursuit of justice,' she said. 'Public order units remain deployed to facilitate peaceful dissent while safeguarding lives and property.' She said the three students are expected to face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. Police confiscated wheelbarrows and sponge mattresses used by protesters. Meanwhile, education activist Hendrick Makaneta also condemned the violent nature of the protest. 'These acts are not only unlawful but dangerously irresponsible,' Makaneta said. 'They put innocent lives at risk and disrupt the daily lives and livelihoods of ordinary South Africans.'
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Mthatha campus erupts as students rally against bail for accused in deadly protest shooting
'(Manelisi) 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. 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
IOL News
24-04-2025
- IOL News
Walter Sisulu University residence manager's murder case postponed amid student protests
The case of murder involving Walter Sisulu University (WSU) residence manager has been postponed to next month after the fatal shooting of student, Sisonke Mbolokwa. The murder case against a 54-year-old residence manager accused of killing Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student Sisonke Mbolekwa has been postponed to next month. The suspect, reportedly named as Manelisi Mampane, made his first appearance at the Mthatha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday afternoon. The case was postponed to May 2 for a formal bail application. Mampane indicated his intention to apply for bail. Mbolekwa was fatally shot, allegedly by Mampane, during a protest last week over deteriorating living conditions at university residences accredited by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Three other students were injured and taken to the hospital. The students allegedly stormed the residence manager's on-campus residence, confronted him about the state of students' residences, and later set his vehicle on fire. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, the court reportedly prohibited the media from recording the proceedings, as the defence argued that the matter was domestic and should not be publicised. However, it is reported that the State did not oppose the proceedings from being recorded. Outside the court, scores of WSU students protested, calling for Mampane to be denied bail. The university descended into chaos last week as students protested over poor accommodation, including cracked walls, damaged ceilings, and broken tiles. Students allegedly stormed the on-campus residence where Mampane lived, confronting him and setting his vehicle on fire during the altercation. Meanwhile, an independent investigation led by retired Justice Chris Jafta, assisted by two advocates and an attorney, will probe the events that led to Mbolekwa's death. The inquiry will also assess whether there were lapses by students or university officials in managing the situation. In a separate legal development, the Student Representative Council (SRC) approached the Mthatha High Court to block the eviction of students. The university argued that violence, including the burning of vehicles and the destruction of property, escalated after April 15 and that evictions were necessary to prevent further unrest. Lawyers representing students countered that the violence was triggered by the shooting and that it was unclear whether students were responsible. Judge Mbulelo Jolwana refused to grant the university's eviction application, citing the need to protect students' lives. Instead, he issued an interdict preventing both evictions and further damage to university property. "Eviction must be a last resort, and students must be given the opportunity to demonstrate in a manner that maintains the integrity of the institution," Jolwana said. [email protected] IOL News
