University of Fort Hare

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

7 January 2023

Dear staff and students

RE: MURDER OF UFH EMPLOYEE & ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON VICE-CHANCELLOR

We are writing to inform you of the death Mr. Mboneli Vesele, the executive protection officer to the Vice-Chancellor. Mr, Vesele was killed during a shooting incident / planned assassination last night (Friday, 6 January) outside the Vice-Chancellor's Alice residence. Professor Buhlungu is unharmed.

The University Management informed Mr Vesele's family and next of kin and are providing support.

Dr. Nosisa Mayaba, Acting DVC: Institutional Support was at the family's residence in Qonce (formerly King William's Town) during the early hours of the morning.

We are aware that amateur eyewitness images and videos of the bullet ruptured University vehicle of the Vice-Chancellor are circulating on social media. Out of respect for Mr. Vesele and his family, and to preserve his dignity, we ask that the UFH community refrains from disseminating these visuals.

The Management Executive Committee (MEC) has asked for trauma and counselling services to be made available to students and staff. The same service will also be made available to Mr. Vesele's family.

Following discussions with the family, further announcements will be made in due course around a memorial service to honour the life of Mr. Vesele.

Kind regards,

Mr. JP Roodt

Director: Institutional Advancement (Marketing & Communication)
Office of the Vice-Chancellor