Picture: Twitter
Eastern Cape police have confirmed that the driver of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare was shot dead by an unknown number of assailants on Friday night at around 8 pm.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, was not in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
“The SAPS confirms the incident during which the driver of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare was attacked by unknown suspects,” said Brigadier Kinana.
“According to information, he was arriving home when a vehicle approached.”
Brigadier Kinana said one of the occupants got out of the car and pretended to ask the driver something, but then more assailants emerged and started shooting at the driver.
“He died at the scene,” Brigadier Kinana confirmed.
“The motive for the shooting is not known at the moment, however, we [have] opened a murder case for investigation.
"We are asking anyone who may have information in relation to this particular incident to please make contact with Alice police station or call our crime stop number 08600 10111.”
Meanwhile, Fort Hare identified the deceased as Mboneli Vesele, the executive protection officer to the Vice-Chancellor.
"The University Management informed Vesele's family and next of kin and is providing support. Dr. Nosisa Mayaba, Acting DVC: Institutional Support was at the family's residence in Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) during the early hours of the morning," said University spokesperson, JP Roodt.
He also appealed to the public to refrain from sharing a video of the bullet-riddled car on social media.
"Out of respect for Mr. Vesele and his family, and to preserve his dignity, we ask that the UFH community refrains from disseminating these visuals."
