By Thobeka Makume
Two University of Johannesburg (UJ) students, aged 19 and 24, have been arrested in connection with the brutal killing of Cebo Biyela, an 18-year-old Grade 10 learner from Musi High School in Pimville, Soweto. The attack, which took place on Tuesday while Biyela was walking home, has sent shockwaves through the community and elicited strong responses from both the university and local authorities. Bernard Biyela, Cebo’s father, expressed his profound sorrow, telling SowetanLIVE, “Breaking the news of my son’s death to his mother was the most difficult thing I have ever done” [Post on X].
Details of the Incident
Cebo Biyela was allegedly assaulted with a baseball bat, stabbed with a broken bottle, and had his throat slit at the Motswaledi soccer ground in Kliptown. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of the two suspects, who are expected to appear in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Despite ongoing investigations, the motive behind this horrific attack remains unclear, leaving the community grappling with questions and grief.
University of Johannesburg’s Response
The University of Johannesburg has vehemently condemned the incident, describing it as “shocking and unacceptable” and emphasizing that such behavior starkly contradicts its core values of respect, dignity, and integrity. In an official statement, UJ declared, “The University will not hesitate to take immediate and strong action against any of our students should they be found guilty of any transgressions.”
In a proactive move to address safety concerns, UJ has partnered with the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. The two entities recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at enhancing campus and community safety, striving to create secure environments for students, staff, and the broader public.
Gauteng Department of Education’s Support
The Gauteng Department of Education has swiftly responded by dispatching a Psycho-Social Support team to Musi High School to provide trauma counseling to learners and staff affected by Biyela’s death. Provincial education spokesperson Steve Mabona conveyed heartfelt condolences, stating, “We extend our deepest condolences to the learner’s family and the school community at large, during this difficult period.”
The tragic loss has left the school community in mourning, with the support team working diligently to help students and educators process their grief.
Community Outcry and Protests
The incident has sparked significant unrest, with hundreds of pupils from Soweto, including learners from Musi High School and Thaba-Jabula Secondary School, staging protests on Wednesday outside the UJ off-campus residence at Power Park. These demonstrations underscore the community’s deep anger and demand for justice following Biyela’s brutal murder [Posts on X].
Addressing these actions, Mabona urged the learners to refrain from taking matters into their own hands, saying, “Of concern, we just want to call upon learners not to do that. They must leave this matter in the hands of the police who are conducting an investigation accordingly.”
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