Abathembu King slams bail release of WSU campus manager, takes matters into own hands

Abathembu King, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, has condemned the bail release of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) residence manager, Manelisi Mampane, describing it as a “violent judgment.”

Dalindyebo has vowed to meet with Eastern Cape Judge President, Selby Mbenenge, to contest this ruling.

Fresh protests erupted at the Mthatha campus today following Mampane’s release yesterday.

During these protests, police arrested three students.

The Mthatha Regional Court released Mampane on R10 000 bail.

He faces serious charges, including attempted murder and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Mampane is accused of shooting and killing third-year student, Sisonke Mbolekwa, and injuring several others during a protest in April.

It is alleged that students were protesting poor living conditions at the residences when the 54-year-old residence manager opened fire on them.

It is further reported that students retaliated to the violence by torching a car belonging to the residence manager, who lived on campus with his family.

His wife was allegedly struck with a hard object on the head amid the chaos.

In a display of a clash of traditional and modern systems of government, the Abathembu king threatened to personally handle the case, decrying alleged corruption within the judicial system.

Reacting to the court’s decision, Mbolekwa’s family spokesperson, Ncedo Kolanisi, also accused the presiding judge of bias.

For its part, the South African Students Congress (SASCO) in the Eastern Cape says while it understands the reasons that sparked the recent student protest, the disruption to academic activities is concerning.

SASCO Deputy Cocordinator, Vuyo Tologo, outlined, to YNews, their efforts to have the court’s decision reviewed.