The murder case against 54-year-old residence manager Manelisi Mampane, accused of fatally shooting Walter Sisulu University student Sisonke Mbolekwa, has been postponed to May 2 for a formal bail application.
Mampane made his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court. The shooting happened last week during a student protest over poor conditions in NSFAS-accredited residences. Three other students were injured, and Mampane’s vehicle was torched.
Media were barred from recording the proceedings due to the case’s sensitive nature, although the State did not oppose media coverage. Outside the court, WSU students protested, demanding Mampane be denied bail.
An independent inquiry led by retired Justice Chris Jafta will investigate the incident and whether any failures occurred on the part of students or university officials.
In a separate case, the Mthatha High Court rejected WSU’s attempt to evict protesting students. Judge Mbulelo Jolwana instead issued an interdict preventing evictions and further damage to property, stating that eviction should be a last resort.
