Students protest against bail for suspects

MORE than 200 students from Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) Nelson Mandela Drive campus protested in front of the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday when two youths appeared in connection with the murder of a third-year student on May 4.

Bhekinkosi Nkaziya, 30, from Bizana was stabbed to death while walking with xhis girlfriend inside the Nelson Mandela Drive campus.

The two suspects, one believed to be a student at the Zamukulungisa campus, were arrested at Mandela Park on May 8.

However, one of the suspects could not stand trial as he was under age.

The protest was against the suspects being granted bail.

National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesman Luxolo Tyali said according to the new Justice Act a minor could not be charged until a preliminary report had been obtained from a social worker.

The second suspect was not asked to plead but was informed of the charges he was facing, including murder and two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The suspect has since applied for legal aid.

The court also heard the accused had another pending murder case against him.

Tyali revealed it was suspected the youths were part of a gang from Sibangweni locality near Mthatha, which has been terrorising WSU students.

The case was postponed to May 28 for a formal bail application and the suspect was remanded in custody.

Protestors earlier told the Daily Dispatch they no longer felt safe inside the campus due to an increase in the number of students who had been attacked.

Luzuko Nobhongoza, who was one of the conveners of the march, said they feared more students could be targeted should the suspects get bail.

WSU spokeswoman Angela Church told the Dispatch earlier this week the university was taking the safety of its students seriously and was devising means to ensure they were safe around the campus. — sikhon@dispatch.