Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

The Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Council, led by Professor Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, is set to visit the family of the late Sisonke Mbolekwa in Matatiele today, 19 April 2025, to offer condolences and support following the tragic shooting of the WSU student on the Mthatha campus. This gesture underscores the university’s commitment to supporting its students and their families during this difficult time, as announced by Council Spokesperson Dr. Lulamile Ntonzima. The visit comes amid ongoing investigations into the incident that claimed Mbolekwa’s life and left two other students injured, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

A Tragic Loss at Walter Sisulu University

On the morning of 15 April 2025, chaos erupted at WSU’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha when students protested over poor living conditions in their residences. The demonstration, driven by frustrations over inadequate amenities such as water, stoves, and laundry equipment, escalated when students confronted the residence manager at his on-campus home. According to police reports, the manager allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting Sisonke Mbolekwa, a 24-year-old Bachelor of Education student, and injuring two others, Ntando Gqetywa and Lizwa Ndzumo. The students reportedly set the manager’s car alight, and his wife was injured during the confrontation.

Mbolekwa, from Tsepisong village in Matatiele, was remembered by peers as a dedicated and kind student who avoided chaos and was committed to his studies. His death has left the Matatiele community and WSU students in mourning, with many demanding accountability and improved campus safety. Initial confusion arose when the university claimed Mbolekwa was not a registered student, a statement that drew sharp criticism. However, Professor Ngcukaitobi later clarified that Mbolekwa was enrolled in 2023 and 2024 and had paid the minimum initial payment in March 2025 to register for the current academic year, despite funding challenges.

WSU Council’s Response and Condolence Visit

Dr. Lulamile Ntonzima, WSU’s Council Spokesperson, announced today that the university’s leadership will visit the Mbolekwa family to express their deepest condolences. “Walter Sisulu University (WSU) would like to inform the media that today, the WSU Council, led by Professor Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, will pay a visit to the family of the late Sisonke Mbolekwa in Matatiele, a WSU student who was fatally wounded during the ill-fated shooting that ensued on the Mthatha campus. This visit is a gesture of condolence and support to the family during this difficult time. The Council’s presence aims to offer comfort and demonstrate the university’s commitment to the well-being of its students and their families,” Ntonzima stated.

The Council’s visit follows an emergency meeting on 16 April 2025, where they resolved to suspend the residence manager implicated in the shooting and temporarily close the Mthatha campus, shifting classes online to ensure safety. Professor Ngcukaitobi, a respected advocate and WSU Council Chairperson since 2020, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation. The university has appointed a team led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Chris Jafta to probe the incident, examine its causes, and review prior complaints about campus security and management.

Ongoing Investigations and Community Outrage

The Eastern Cape police arrested the 54-year-old residence manager on 17 April 2025, charging him with murder and attempted murder. He is set to appear in court on 22 April 2025, as investigations continue. Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, Eastern Cape police spokesperson, noted that while the arrest is a critical step, students initially obstructed access to the crime scene, complicating early inquiries. The university’s initial denial of Mbolekwa’s student status further fuelled tensions, with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and South African Student Congress (Sasco) condemning the institution’s response.

Themba Zikhali, SRC leader at the Mthatha campus, highlighted long-standing grievances, including the residence manager’s alleged heavy-handed conduct and the university’s failure to address dilapidated student accommodations. Social media images of missing tiles, deteriorating ceilings, and broken appliances in WSU residences have amplified calls for reform. Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, who visited the Mbolekwa family on 17 April 2025, criticized the “culture of weaponisation and militarisation” on campuses and promised a review of university safety protocols.

Systemic Issues at WSU

The shooting is not an isolated incident at WSU. In August 2024, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigated allegations of police using live ammunition against students during a protest near the Mthatha campus. In March 2025, WSU closed all its campuses after violent protests involving property destruction and intimidation, leading to 19 student arrests in Komani. These incidents point to systemic challenges, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and strained relations between students and management.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed Mbolekwa was a funded student, with his last payment disbursed in 2024. Minister Nkabane’s visit to the family in Masakana Village, Matatiele, underscored the government’s commitment to supporting students, but many argue that broader reforms are needed to address campus safety and accommodation standards. The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, chaired by Tebogo Letsie, condemned the shooting as “senseless and barbaric,” urging universities to become gun-free zones.

Community and Student Demands

The Matatiele community has rallied around the Mbolekwa family, describing Sisonke as a hardworking student with a bright future. Local leaders, including Eastern Cape MEC for Community Safety Xolile Nqatha, have called for peaceful conflict resolution and proactive university leadership. Students, meanwhile, continue to protest, clashing with security guards who allegedly fired rubber bullets into residences on 17 April 2025. The SRC has rejected management’s attempts to evict students, insisting that the university address their concerns directly.

Professor Ngcukaitobi confirmed that the contract of the security company accused of excessive force has ended, and a new company has been appointed. The Council also instructed the deputy vice-chancellor of institutional support to provide timelines for installing essential appliances in self-catering residences, addressing the root causes of the protests. However, students remain sceptical, citing years of unmet promises. Ed

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