One of the key suspects in the Fort Hare University murders has been denied bail in the Dimbaza magistrate's court.
Magistrate Zwelethu Ngetu on Monday rejected the bail application of 56-year-old Isaac Plaatjies, the university's Director for Investigations and Vetting Services.
Plaatjies and his nine co-accused are implicated in the murders of university fleet manager Petrus Roets, the vice-chancellor (VC)'s bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, as well as the attempted murder of the vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu and his deputy, Renuka Vithal.
In denying bail, Magistrate Zwelethu Ngetu, found that Plaatjies had a case to answer.
He said Plaatjies had failed to explain why his cell phone was the source of the murder hit list, with the names and photos of the university's senior staff members.
The father of five, who said that he was not a flight risk, also allegedly made calls to the hitman and visited the hitman where he was accommodated before the hit on Vesele.
Ngetu labeled Plaatjies a dangerous and dishonest person and said he may interfere with state witnesses, and evidence, or put the lives of the VC and his deputy at risk.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority said it noted the ruling of another magistrate Eras Venter in granting bail to Mthatha-based attorney, Phelisa Nkonyeni, and the person who is alleged to have organised the hitmen, Zimela Chiliza.
NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said were granted bail of R50 000 and R100 000 bail, respectively.
He said the court found that were not flight risks and would not be in the interest of justice for them to be kept in custody.
Tyali said the "state successfully opposed the bail application of Nkoyeni’s policeman husband, Lindokuhle Manjati, alleged hitmen Mthobisi Khanyile,, Thamsanqa Mgoytana and Mthobisi Dlamini.
