Student murder accused kept in prison

FIVE students accused of killing Walter Sisulu University medical student Lwando Mantshontsho, 27, were remanded in custody again yesterday.

They will return to the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court tomorrow for a formal bail application.

The accused are first-year economics student Sindile Kango, 21; third-year medical student Yamkela Mxokozeli, 23; fourth-year medical student Siphesihle Mafungwa, 21; third-year education student Philani Danca, 23; and first-year medical student Lwakhe Matakane, 20.

The court was packed and security was tight.

Court orderlies gave the public “tickets” and tried to share seats between protesters and family of the accused.

The Dispatch reporter was forced to hand security officials her cellphone to prevent photographs being taken in open court.

The accused are facing charges of murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property.

After a brief session, the matter was postponed to allow for further information to be gathered.

Mantshontsho was murdered at his Atlanta residence at the Nelson Mandela Drive campus site on the morning of Friday, May 12. His body was found in a pool of blood with multiple stab wounds to his upper body.

He was laid to rest this past Sunday at his home in Cofimvaba near Komani.

The accused handed themselves over for arrest a week after the murder.

Yesterday’s hearing drew hundreds of protesters, including WSU students, who gathered outside the court to oppose bail.

Protester Sinazo Nkani said she wanted to show her support for Mantshontsho and his family.

“He was five months away from graduating. Can you imagine what his family is going through? To grant the accused bail would just be another painful blow to Lwando’s family.

“I am here to say no to bail. We go to WSU to study not to be killed and not to fear for our lives,” said Nkani. —