Police were on Wednesday searching for at least 20 Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students in connection with a gang-related attack which left a student dead and four others injured.
Four students have so far been arrested after the group fight on the campus on Sunday.
Sibusiso Ntshangase (25), Lindokuhle Mahlobo (21), Mthokozisi Sithole (23) and Malusi Khoza (22) briefly appeared in the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court where they were charged for murder and three counts of attempted murder.
They were denied bail on Tuesday afternoon and the matter was postponed to 11 November for further investigation and to allow the four to apply for legal aid assistance.
A large number of students from the university’s Soshanguve campus attended the court proceedings that saw the four accused pleading not guilty.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Matthews Nkoadi said the Sunday fight broke out between students after an argument at a tavern next to the campus.
“Apparently the students started fighting at the tavern just across the university’s road before going into the campus where one of the students was beaten and stoned to death. The fight was between two groups of students from Kwa Nongoma and Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Nkoadi said based on information gathered by police so far, the two groups had already been at odds in their home province last year.
“We were told by several witnesses that there was a large group of students of about twenty or more who were armed with merchants and other dangerous weapons,” said Nkoadi.
The fight left three other students in a critical condition in the George Mukharhi Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.
The violence has upset students at the Soshanguve campuses, both North and South, and they are now questioning their safety. Susan Mabitsela, a legal assistance student, said she was worried.
“What is happening on this campus really affects us. Recently, it was a violent strike where campus service cars were burnt and now a student was killed on the campus. It is high time that a high level of security is prioritised at this university.”
Another student, Nontokozo Ndlazi, added: “Campus security is woefully inadequate. We always lose our valuables, including laptops. Really, we can’t have a tavern next to an institution of higher learning. Perhaps it is time for leaders of this university to do something about the safety of students.”
University’s spokesperson Willa de Ruyter said the deceased student was in his first year. He was named as SB Masuku, and he was studying language practice.
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Also read: TUT student dies, another injured in brawl
