AN ELECTION victory celebration ended in tragedy at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) when a student was killed.
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha.
This recent death brings to two the number of students killed at Eastern Cape universities in just one weekend.
WSU student Sandiso Mfihlo died after being stabbed in the neck.
Mfihlo was one of more than 1000 who packed the AC Jordan Hall to celebrate after the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma) won 1560 of 4000 votes at Nelson Mandela Drive and Zamukulungisa campuses in recent elections.
Mfihlo’s death came a day after 21-year-old Rhodes University student Amanda Tweyi was shot dead in what police suspect was a murder-suicide in a Rhodes University men’s residence in Grahamstown at the weekend.
Her boyfriend, 34-year-old Nkosinathi Nqabisa from King William’s Town, also died from what seemed to be a self-inflicted wound to the head.
Police have opened a murder docket and are investigating the incident.
Friends who spoke to the Daily Dispatch yesterday said Mfihlo’s only crime was to intervene to stop a brawl involving a friend, 27-year-old Siyabonga Sihewula.
Eyewitnesses said one of the students had confronted Sihewula outside the hall, accusing him of “shoving” him while dancing inside.
Sihewula and another eyewitness, who asked for anonymity, said Mfihlo had pushed the student and told him to stop complaining over a non-issue.
It is alleged the student went back in and emerged with an Okapi knife, attacking Mfihlo from behind.
“We were on our way to sleep when I heard him shout my name from behind. When I turned around there were three of them on top of him.
“It was dark and there were knives so we did not dare come near,” said Sihewula.
After a short struggle with his attackers on the first floor of the building, the wounded Mfihlo toppled over the balcony and fell to the ground about five metres below.
His friends, who had scattered, returned to look for him and followed the blood trail, which led to the Pholo residence where Mfihlo lived.
His bloodied body was lying in the passage.
“There were pools of blood around him,” said Sihewula. They alerted university security personnel who rushed him to hospital.
Mfihlo died on arrival at Mthatha General Hospital.
“He died for me and I will never forget that,” Sihewula said yesterday.
Mfihlo’s half brother, Siyambonga, who is a policeman, lamented the apparent lack of safety measures at the institution.
“It does not exist at all. They were aware that there was alcohol at the party but did not deploy any security guards or bouncers.
The family has been devastated by the death of Mfihlo, who had an 11-month-old baby.
WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said they were investigating the “unfortunate” incident and could not comment further.
Pasma chairman Sangolethu Ndayi said the incident had not been a deliberate act.
“There was no noise. It happened haphazardly in a split second,” said Ndayi.
The organisation met on Monday to discuss transport arrangements for the funeral and what to do going forward.
No arrests have been made and police have opened a murder docket.
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande expressed outrage at the deaths at the two Eastern Cape universities.
“The incidents are indicative of loopholes in security. The lives of the two students were cut short through actions that could have been prevented.”
Rhodes University spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana yesterday confirmed that a memorial service for BSc student Tweyi would be held in the Rhodes Chapel today at 3.30pm. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
WSU student stabbed after party spat
The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha.
This recent death brings to two the number of students killed at Eastern Cape universities in just one weekend.
WSU student Sandiso Mfihlo died after being stabbed in the neck.
Mfihlo was one of more than 1000 who packed the AC Jordan Hall to celebrate after the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma) won 1560 of 4000 votes at Nelson Mandela Drive and Zamukulungisa campuses in recent elections.
Mfihlo’s death came a day after 21-year-old Rhodes University student Amanda Tweyi was shot dead in what police suspect was a murder-suicide in a Rhodes University men’s residence in Grahamstown at the weekend.
Her boyfriend, 34-year-old Nkosinathi Nqabisa from King William’s Town, also died from what seemed to be a self-inflicted wound to the head.
Police have opened a murder docket and are investigating the incident.
Friends who spoke to the Daily Dispatch yesterday said Mfihlo’s only crime was to intervene to stop a brawl involving a friend, 27-year-old Siyabonga Sihewula.
Eyewitnesses said one of the students had confronted Sihewula outside the hall, accusing him of “shoving” him while dancing inside.
Sihewula and another eyewitness, who asked for anonymity, said Mfihlo had pushed the student and told him to stop complaining over a non-issue.
It is alleged the student went back in and emerged with an Okapi knife, attacking Mfihlo from behind.
“We were on our way to sleep when I heard him shout my name from behind. When I turned around there were three of them on top of him.
“It was dark and there were knives so we did not dare come near,” said Sihewula.
After a short struggle with his attackers on the first floor of the building, the wounded Mfihlo toppled over the balcony and fell to the ground about five metres below.
His friends, who had scattered, returned to look for him and followed the blood trail, which led to the Pholo residence where Mfihlo lived.
His bloodied body was lying in the passage.
“There were pools of blood around him,” said Sihewula. They alerted university security personnel who rushed him to hospital.
Mfihlo died on arrival at Mthatha General Hospital.
“He died for me and I will never forget that,” Sihewula said yesterday.
Mfihlo’s half brother, Siyambonga, who is a policeman, lamented the apparent lack of safety measures at the institution.
“It does not exist at all. They were aware that there was alcohol at the party but did not deploy any security guards or bouncers.
The family has been devastated by the death of Mfihlo, who had an 11-month-old baby.
WSU spokesman Thando Cezula said they were investigating the “unfortunate” incident and could not comment further.
Pasma chairman Sangolethu Ndayi said the incident had not been a deliberate act.
“There was no noise. It happened haphazardly in a split second,” said Ndayi.
The organisation met on Monday to discuss transport arrangements for the funeral and what to do going forward.
No arrests have been made and police have opened a murder docket.
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande expressed outrage at the deaths at the two Eastern Cape universities.
“The incidents are indicative of loopholes in security. The lives of the two students were cut short through actions that could have been prevented.”
Rhodes University spokesman Zamuxolo Matiwana yesterday confirmed that a memorial service for BSc student Tweyi would be held in the Rhodes Chapel today at 3.30pm. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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