Fourteen senior staff members at the University of Fort Hare were among 15 people arrested at the weekend in connection with the killings at the institution. 

According to sources, the 14 senior staff members were facing a string of charges. News24 understands that the senior staff members were arrested in various provinces over the Easter weekend – Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

After months of investigation, police have made a breakthrough following the spate of killings that have plagued the University of Fort Hare since last year, including that of the vice-chancellor’s bodyguard.

A bounty of R5 million had also allegedly been placed on the vice-chancellor’s head.

His death followed the assassination of the university’s fleet manager in May 2022.

The arrested staff members had all been suspended from the university and had been subjected to disciplinary hearings.

These included a supply chain manager, a human resources director, an executive manager, and a member of the university’s security and protection. The 15 face charges including fraud, corruption, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder. 

People previously arrested included the university’s head of investigations and vetting, the chief operating transport officer, and a former SRC member and businessman who provided services to the university.


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