Walter Sisulu University Protests
By Nkosana Khumalo
Eastern Cape police have arrested four students from Walter Sisulu University (WSU) for public violence following a heated protest in Mthatha on Wednesday morning. The students were demonstrating against the release on bail of the university’s residence manager, Manelisi Mampane, who was arrested for the alleged fatal shooting of Bachelor of Education student Sisonke Mbolekwa inside the Mthatha campus on 15 April. Mampane also injured another student during a confrontation sparked by complaints over poor living conditions in the university residences. He was taken into custody on 17 April and charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. His release on R10,000 bail by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday triggered outrage among students, leading to the chaotic scenes that unfolded the following day.
The roots of this unrest stretch back to mid-April when Mampane, tasked with overseeing student accommodations, clashed with a group of students who approached him to voice their frustrations about the dire state of their living quarters. The confrontation escalated tragically, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Sisonke Mbolekwa and leaving another student wounded. The incident sent shockwaves through the WSU community, with many questioning how such violence could erupt on a campus meant to be a place of learning and safety. Mampane’s arrest two days later offered a glimmer of hope to those demanding accountability, but his release on bail reignited tensions and set the stage for the protests that followed.
On Tuesday, as Mampane appeared in court for his bail hearing, a crowd of WSU students gathered outside the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court, chanting slogans and holding placards calling for justice. Their pleas for the court to deny bail went unheeded, and the decision to release Mampane on R10,000 bail left the students reeling. By Wednesday morning, their anger boiled over into action. Hundreds of students took to the streets near the Mthatha campus, blocking the busy N2 highway with burning tyres and debris. They also prevented university staff from entering the premises, effectively bringing operations to a standstill. The protest quickly turned volatile, prompting a swift response from the Eastern Cape police.
Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the police spokesperson, confirmed that four students were arrested during the unrest and now face charges of public violence, damage to infrastructure, and damage to property. “We condemn reported acts of vandalism, arson, road blockades, or intimidation. Such criminal conduct diverts critical resources from the investigation and undermines the pursuit of justice,” she said. Gantana stressed that public order policing units had been deployed to manage the situation, striving to balance the students’ right to protest with the need to protect lives and property. She also made it clear that the police had no say in Mampane’s release, stating, “The suspect’s release was directed by the court under standard legal procedures. The murder investigation remains active, prioritised, and ongoing. We continue to collaborate closely with the National Prosecuting Authority to pursue justice through legal channels.”
The university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) secretary in Mthatha, Sakhumzi Khambula, spoke out about the students’ frustration. “The decision angered students who believed the release of Mr Mampane was not in the interest of justice,” he said. Khambula explained that many felt the court’s ruling undermined their call for accountability, especially given the gravity of the charges against Mampane. The SRC has been vocal in its support of the students, amplifying their demands for better living conditions and a safer campus environment—issues that lie at the heart of this tragedy.
The situation in Mthatha remained tense throughout Wednesday, with police maintaining a strong presence around the campus. Acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso appealed for calm, urging students and the wider community to express their grievances peacefully. “We encourage those who are aggrieved to channel grievances through lawful avenues,” she said. Kupiso acknowledged the emotional toll of the incident, noting that the loss of a young life had deeply shaken the university community. However, she warned that unlawful actions could hinder the pursuit of justice, a sentiment echoed by Gantana, who added, “We recognise the profound distress this case has caused within the university community. Emotional solidarity is understood, but unlawful actions jeopardise the justice we collectively seek.”
Beyond the immediate events, this incident has shone a harsh spotlight on the broader challenges facing Walter Sisulu University and other tertiary institutions across South Africa. The shooting on 15 April was not an isolated act but a symptom of deeper frustrations over substandard living conditions in student residences. Reports from the WSU Mthatha campus have highlighted problems such as broken facilities, overcrowding, and a lack of basic amenities—grievances that students had repeatedly raised with university management. The confrontation with Mampane was the tipping point, exposing the risks students face when their concerns go unaddressed.
In the days following the shooting, the university suspended all operations at the Mthatha campus to allow tensions to cool and to engage with the SRC. Emergency meetings were held, and promises were made to investigate the incident thoroughly. Yet, Mampane’s release on bail unravelled much of this progress, reigniting student anger and leading to Wednesday’s protest. The university administration now finds itself under immense pressure to restore trust and address the underlying issues that sparked this crisis. A spokesperson for WSU expressed condolences to Mbolekwa’s family and committed to supporting the ongoing investigation, but students remain sceptical about the institution’s willingness to act decisively.
The unrest at WSU is part of a larger pattern of student protests that have swept South African universities in recent years. From demands for free education to calls for better housing and campus security, these demonstrations often reflect the struggles of a generation battling systemic inequalities. When peaceful appeals fail, frustration can spill into the streets, as it did in Mthatha. The burning of tyres and blocking of the N2 not only disrupted traffic but also drew public attention to the students’ plight, though it came at the cost of arrests and further division.
Educational activist Hendrick Makaneta weighed in on the crisis, expressing heartbreak over the loss of Mbolekwa and the injuries sustained by another student. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured. Universities should be safe havens for students, places where they can pursue their academic goals without fear of violence or harm,” he said. His words captured a widely shared sentiment: campuses must be sanctuaries, not battlegrounds. Makaneta also called for a transparent investigation into the shooting, urging authorities to hold those responsible to account.
The decision to grant Mampane bail has fuelled additional controversy, with some arguing it reflects a disconnect between the judiciary and the communities it serves. Critics have pointed to the relatively low bail amount of R10,000 as inadequate given the severity of the charges, including murder. The EFF Youth Command, a vocal student advocacy group, condemned the ruling, accusing the court of prioritising the accused over the victims. They described the decision as a betrayal of public trust and raised concerns about procedural flaws in the bail process, though specific details remain under scrutiny as the case unfolds.
As the investigation into Mbolekwa’s death continues, the police have vowed to leave no stone unturned. Forensic teams are analysing evidence from the shooting, and witnesses are being interviewed to build a watertight case. The collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority signals a determination to see justice served, but for many students, this feels like a distant promise while Mampane walks free on bail. The four arrested protesters are expected to appear in court soon, adding another layer to this unfolding saga.
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