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A Walter Sisulu University student has been shot dead on the Mthatha campus after an altercation between students and security officials. (Walter Sisulu University/Supplied)
A Walter Sisulu University student was shot dead on the Mthatha campus in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday morning after an altercation between students and security officials.
Three other students were injured.
Students said the incident took place at around 08:00.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana said the students were shot by a residence manager.
"It is alleged that students mobilised themselves on the evening [on Monday], as they complained about the bad [conditions] of their residence. At about 07:00 on Tuesday morning, the students went to the residence manager who stays within the institution with his family to confront him about the poor state of their residence," said Gantana.
Gantana said the residence manager allegedly shot two male students, but student leaders were adamant the total number of students who were shot were four.
Gantana said: "One [student] died on the scene and another one survived and he was rushed to hospital for medical care. It is further reported that students mobilised and in the process the residence manager's car was set alight and his wife was hit on the head with a hard object. The family was rescued by Mthatha Public Order Policing."
On Tuesday afternoon, police were outside the campus trying to manage students who wanted to block the N2 near the university.
"No arrests have been made yet as the students are preventing the police from going to the crime scene as well as to get more information from witnesses," said Gantana.
In August last year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) held an inquiry for a probe into allegations that nine students from the university were shot with live ammunition by police officers while protesting near the institution on the N2 in Mthatha, few days before 29 May 2024.
There no fatalities in last year's shooting, as students only sustained serious injuries.
SAHRC’s Eastern Cape manager, Dr Eileen Carter, told News24 on Tuesday the report into the inquiry will be ready in few months.
“As we finalised our report into the May 2024 [university] unrest, this tragic incident the urgent need for restraint, lawful crowd control and peaceful engagements on campuses. We equally urged students to exercise their right to protest, peacefully, without resorting to alleged violence and vandalism,” said Carter.
A student leader who asked to remain anonymous told News24 the altercation ensued when students voiced their dissatisfaction with the management of residences.
"There has always been an issue with the officials tasked with looking [after] residences. The students recently had a protest over a contracted security company. Students are unhappy with the conduct of the security company," the student leader said.
Walter Sisulu University spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo added: "The situation is tense on the ground, and our security personnel are trying to get confirmation of this incident."
The university is expected to issue a statement when more details become available.
