Dept to review safety protocols at institutions of higher learning after WSU protest shooting
Students at the institution allegedly attacked the residence manager and his family at their on-campus accommodation and later torched his car on Wednesday.
Walter Sisulu University. Picture: Nhlanhla Mabaso/EWN
MTHATHA - The higher education ministry said it would review safety protocols at institutions of higher learning after a student was shot and killed at the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha.
On Tuesday, Sisonke Mbolekwa died after being shot while protesting on campus.
The alleged perpetrator, a residence manager, is still at large.
During her visit to the institution on Wednesday, the minister said that some policies must be changed to protect students.
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[WATCH] Singing and chanting starts as student leaders prepare to address the group of remaining students at the Walter Sisulu University’s main campus here in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. #WSUprotest @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/L3JUpfAaoT
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 16, 2025
The killing of Sisonke Mbolekwa has left students at the university fearing for their safety on campus.
Their SRC also raised concerns about a university employee having a gun on the institution's grounds.
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane: "There is an emergence of weaponisig and militarisation of our campuses."
Nkabane said it was time to implement policies that would ensure that such incidents never happened again.
"As the department, what we are working on now is to review our safety protocols that are going to assist us in strengthening our safety framework as we go forward."
The minister has vowed that there will be accountability following the incident.
BREAKING: @HigherEduGovZA minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane confirms that Sisonke Mbolekwa who was brutally killed at the Walter Sisulu University campus in Mthatha yesterday, was a registered student. This after the university denied this. @_NMabaso pic.twitter.com/DY5gDmOqag
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 16, 2025