By Thapelo Molefe
The bail hearing of a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) residence manager, who is accused of allegedly killing a student during protests, was postponed on Friday due to a power failure at the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
Manelisi Mampane, 54, allegedly shot Sisonke Mbolekwa and wounded two others at the university last month.
Mampane faces charges of murder, attempted murder and possession of an unlicensed firearm after allegedly opening fire on a group of students at the university’s Mthatha campus. They were demonstrating over a number of issues, including the state of accommodation.
Mampane made his first court appearance last month where he indicated that he would apply for bail.
Students made it clear that Mampane must remain behind bars.
A family representative for the Mbolekwa family, Phiwaba Modokwe, said they agreed that Mampane must not be granted bail.
“A life has been lost, lives have been altered, and this has not just traumatised the family, but it has traumatised the entire student community and many members of the society,” Modokwe said.
“So we are of the view that bail must not be granted.”
She also condemned the use of guns in tertiary institutions, saying that whether the firearm used to kill Mbolekwa was licensed or not, “no student should go back home in a coffin”.
WSU convocation secretary general Misheck Mugabe also spoke out against firearms at the university.
“We are disappointed with the issue of unlicensed firearms in campuses. We want a gun-free campus, that is why we are here to play solidarity with the family of Sisonke,” he said.
He added that they had requested that the media to be allowed in court, saying that “if you are innocent, you don’t have anything to hide”.
During the first court appearance, journalists were barred from attending the court proceedings.
The family of Mbolekwa has since requested via an affidavit that the proceedings be open to the press.
Last month, Institutional Student Representative Council president Abalungile Madikizela stressed that the accused should remain behind bars
“From our view as students we believe that with everything that has happened, he has not shown any indication that he regrets what has happened or that it was a mistake because if that was the case, he would have handed himself over to the police.
“But what happened is that the police had to chase him up and down the country begging him to hand himself over for his actions,” she said.
Mbolekwa was laid to rest in Matatiele last month
Hundreds of students gathered outside the court on Friday to demand justice for Mbolekwa.
Mampane will appear in court again on Tuesday.
INSIDE EDUCATION
