Cape Town - The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) has raised concerns about the safety of Stellenbosch University (SU) students after one of their own was stabbed to death in a suspected robbery.
The first-year Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) student was on his bicycle when he was stabbed in the neck and left to die by a 19-year-old suspect.
The victim’s lifeless body was found by a security guard who was patrolling Borcherds Street in the early hours of Wednesday.
Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said: “Stellenbosch police are investigating the circumstances that led to the death of an unknown man in Borcherds Street, Stellenbosch on Wednesday. Police members attended to a complaint of a murder and upon arrival on the scene they found the victim with a stab wound to his neck.
“The victim was declared deceased on the scene by medical personnel. According to reports, the victim was found by a security guard who was doing patrols. The motive for the attack forms part of the police investigation.
“The suspects fled the scene. We can confirm that a 19-year-old male was arrested earlier (yesterday) in connection with the death of the student.”
Twigg said the suspect will appear in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court once charged with murder.
Deputy vice-chancellor: Learning and Teaching at SU, Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, said the university learnt with shock and sadness of the student who succumbed to stab wounds.
“The motive for the attack that took place off-campus in Stellenbosch, forms part of an investigation by the SAPS. It is the university’s understanding that a person has been detained in connection with the case. SU will support the SAPS investigation.
“The loss of a precious young life, especially under such tragic circumstances, always comes as a great shock to the university community.”
He added: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and classmates at this extremely difficult moment of loss. We wish them all the strength during this difficult period of grieving and would like them to know that they have the support of the SU community.”
The university said students in need of counselling are encouraged to contact their 24-hour Crisis Service on 010 205 3032 after hours and 021 808 4994 during office hours.
Ramjugernath also called on the community to provide the student’s family and friends with the space and time to deal with the loss.
SRC chairperson, Phiwokuhle Qabaka, said safety is a serious concern with some of the residences.
“They are being broken into all the time, a lot of muggings and students being chased by ‘amaphara’ (thugs).
“This safety concern was raised with the institution and it was said that campus security have no jurisdiction outside but the private companies and SAPS patrol and we keep saying it’s not enough and they say they meet on a weekly basis and share ideas.
“We need the municipality to assist with safety and security on that side.
“I don’t think the perpetrator is a student, he robbed the victim of his bike and his belongings.
“Like myself I was a bit shaky, just getting into my car, I didn’t know if someone was going to come and grab me.
“It is frightening, especially for the students who stay on that street, having something like that happen outside their street.
“It is a great concern and it’s not an easy feeling but I think they are more stressed with the exams coming up now.”
She said they are going to arrange another meeting with the institution.
“We are going to re-register these concerns and scheduled meetings are going to come out.”
Qabaka sent their condolences to the friends and family of the victim.
“We have not identified the student as yet, all we were told was that he was a student studying BSc.”
Anyone with information about the incident is requested to contact Crime Stop on 0860010111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za