Fort Hare Vice Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu survived an assassination attempt that claimed the life of his bodyguard.
PHOTO: Alaister Russell, Gallo Images, Sunday Time
- Professor Sakhela Buhlungu has described his late bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, as an exemplary person.
- Vesele was shot dead on the night of January 6 outside the Vice Chancellor’s residence in Alice in the Eastern Cape.
- It is alleged that the assailants were targeting Professor Buhlungu.
Fort Hare University Vice Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu has described his late bodyguard Mboneli Vesele as an exemplary person.
Buhlungu spoke at Vesele’s funeral on Saturday in the Eastern Cape.
He was shot dead on the night of January 6 outside the Vice Chancellor’s residence in Alice in the Eastern Cape. It is alleged that the assailants were targeting Professor Buhlungu.
“Vesele was not killed by criminals, he was killed by people with bad intentions and he took the bullet for me,” Buhlungu added.
He added that a university fleet manager, Peet Roets, was also killed on May 19.
“Nothing was done about it, so these criminals had the confidence to strike again, now it’s Mr. Vesele. The next coffin to come out of Fort Hare will be mine,” Buhlungu said.
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On the day Vesele was shot dead, Buhlungu was reported to have been moved to safety, however, he revealed that he had never been moved to safety as all the staff at Fort Hare University admired him.
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande pleaded with Police Minister Bheki Cele to investigate Vesele’s murder.
While speaking at Vesele’s funeral, Nzimande said:
Cele, investigate the murder of this hero. No stone should be left unturned because the person behind it thinks they are untouchable. We want to know the truth.
He advised the university council that the fight against corruption should not be the responsibility of a single person.
“That’s why it’s important that all of our institutional forums at universities and colleges get involved in how to keep learning institutions safe.”
Nzimande also pleaded with the council to ensure that the fight against corruption at the university is inclusive.
“As a minister, I will work with the university to ensure security.”
Vesele was described as an unsung hero who died fighting corruption.
“He gave a lot to his job by sacrificing his own life to ensure the protection of his own director. Most of us wouldn’t be able to do our job if it weren’t for people like Vesele,” Nzimande added.
Speaking briefly, Cele said that the police were taking the case very seriously and the national team was investigating the case.
