Varsity moves students out of suspect Lukhele’s lodgings
‘Facility was used to entertain politicians and women’
The University of Mpumalanga has terminated its contract with Insika Guesthouse, a facility believed to be where Hillary Gardee was tortured and murdered.
The establishment, which also offer student lodgings, belongs to Philemon Lukhele, one of the three men accused of killing Hillary.
The university said it relocated its students to another place following concerns about their safety. “We have taken a decision to terminate accreditation to facilities owned by Mr Lukhele. We took this decision by considering the seriousness of the charges that are levelled against the owner and also the safety of our students.
“We have told our students that they need to vacate the place and we have given them options from the list of accredited facilities around the City of Mbombela,” said university spokesperson Tlangelani Ubisi.
“We understand we are in the middle of the month and the students had already paid rent for the month of May. We have since advised their new landlord(s) that the students will need to pay in June 1, and not pay for the month of May,” added Ubisi.
Sowetan visited Lukhele’s lodge yesterday and it was empty, with a few students busy removing their furniture. They said Lukhele had used the place to entertain politicians, entertainers and women. They said they didn’t notice anything untoward around the time Hillary was kidnapped.
“We always see Lukhele with different friends, politicians and some well-known people including musicians. They’d mostly drink and have girls and some female students who don’t live here,” said a student. He said Lukhele had other secluded rooms within the property where students aren’t allowed. Lukhele is a senior manager in the office of the ANC chief whip in the Mpumalanga legislature.