A man died on the scene and a second died later in hospital after a mob refused to allow campus security or the police to intervene in a vigilante attack at the Mthatha campus of Walter Sisulu University on Friday night 21 October.
A man died on the scene and a second died later in hospital after a mob refused to allow campus security or the police to intervene in a vigilante attack at the Mthatha campus of Walter Sisulu University on Friday night 21 October.
University spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo issued a statement Sunday afternoon 23 October saying that on Friday evening 21 October three men gained access to WSU’s Phulo residence at the Mthatha campus.
"The trio… stole electronic equipment from students, including cellphones and laptops," Tukwayo said.
"Students duly sounded the alarm bell and fellow students came to their defence.”
Tukwayo said the men were captured and beaten by students.
He said University security personnel were barred by a mob of students from intervening to restore order and a security guard called the police and an ambulance.
"Upon their arrival they were pelted and assaulted with stones and were forced to retreat for their own safety," Tukwayo said.
Public Order Policing were then called in.
"The volatile situation forced the police to fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd," Tukwayo said. "Only then was the ambulance able to gain access to the University in order to bring aid to the three [men]who were in poor shape.
"Regrettably, one of the [men]has been certified dead, whilst two are fighting for their lives at Bedford Hospital in Mthatha," Tukwayo said.
"We deeply regret this incident and condemn the act of vigilantism that has led to the death of a person."
SAPS spokesperson regarding the incident Captain Dineo Koena said one man had died on the scene and a second had died in hospital on Saturday.
"The third is still in a critical condition," Koena said.
She said two murder cases and one of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm had been opened; however no arrests had been made
