A student fell to her death from the balcony of a university residence in East London.
The Saturday Dispatch learned that the incident happened last Wednesday when the teenager fell from a balcony of Fourwinds residence in Southernwood.
She had been studying at the University of Walter Sisulu (WSU).
Confirming the incident, WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the student was rushed to Frere Hospital, where she died.
Tukwayo said an inquest had been opened by police.
“This is such a sensitive matter.
“The university opened a case with the police to find out what happened. We are still waiting for a conclusive report looking at all the variables.”
She said the university had assisted the family, and had offered students who witnessed the incident counselling by a WSU psychologist.
“The university conducted a memorial service and we released buses to take lecturers and her friends to the funeral.”
The funeral will be held in Dimbaza today.
Tukwayo denied the university had tried to hide the incident from the public, saying it was broadcast on an internal radio station and published on the university’s Facebook page.
WSU Student Representative Council president Buhle Noah-Tetyana said: “We are saddened by the sudden death of one of our own in that it is difficult to accept death. Eventually we have to understand that it is God who gives and it is Him who also takes.
“But we are still to investigate, as the SRC, on what could have led to a student falling from a high floor. We will send condolences to the family.
“May her soul rest in peace.”
East London police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana could not confirm or deny that an inquest docket had been opened, but said it was routine in such cases. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
WSU student falls to death at residence
The Saturday Dispatch learned that the incident happened last Wednesday when the teenager fell from a balcony of Fourwinds residence in Southernwood.
She had been studying at the University of Walter Sisulu (WSU).
Confirming the incident, WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the student was rushed to Frere Hospital, where she died.
Tukwayo said an inquest had been opened by police.
“This is such a sensitive matter.
“The university opened a case with the police to find out what happened. We are still waiting for a conclusive report looking at all the variables.”
She said the university had assisted the family, and had offered students who witnessed the incident counselling by a WSU psychologist.
“The university conducted a memorial service and we released buses to take lecturers and her friends to the funeral.”
The funeral will be held in Dimbaza today.
Tukwayo denied the university had tried to hide the incident from the public, saying it was broadcast on an internal radio station and published on the university’s Facebook page.
WSU Student Representative Council president Buhle Noah-Tetyana said: “We are saddened by the sudden death of one of our own in that it is difficult to accept death. Eventually we have to understand that it is God who gives and it is Him who also takes.
“But we are still to investigate, as the SRC, on what could have led to a student falling from a high floor. We will send condolences to the family.
“May her soul rest in peace.”
East London police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mtati Tana could not confirm or deny that an inquest docket had been opened, but said it was routine in such cases. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
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