Tshwane employee killed in Braamfontein student protest

Tshwane MMC for human settlements, Mpho Mehlape-Zimu, sent condolences to the family of a 35-year-old Tshwane employee who was killed in Braamfontein during a student protest.

Police shot rubber bullets at the crowd.

Mthokozisi Ntumba was caught in the crossfire while leaving a medical facility on Wednesday morning.

Students of the Wits University, as well as the Johannesburg TVET college, took to the streets demanding that those facing financial exclusions be allowed to register for the new academic year.

Students said thousands of them were unable to register due to historical debts.

It is alleged that as police were trying to disperse crowds of students, Ntumba – who was not part of the protest – was walking out of a clinic on the street and got shot three times.

In a video doing the rounds on social media, Ntumba could be seen gasping for air on the sidewalk after being shot.

He worked for the metro for five years as a human settlements planner responsible for the formalisation of informal settlements (township establishment) programme.

“Mthokozisi was a diligent, self-driven and resourceful member of the Human Settlements Department,” said the MMC for human settlement Mpho Mehlape-Zimu.

“He was responsible for more than 20 formalisation projects in region 1, 2 and 4 in the City of Tshwane.”

Mehlape-Zimu described the father of three as a person who thrived as being part of a team responsible for the upliftment of disadvantaged communities.

“We express our sincerest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends. He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in peace.”

Students also called for free quality education and for the NSFAS to be better facilitated to root out corruption.

Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the killing, describing it as disturbing.

“We are keenly aware of the challenges facing students across the country and are hard at work to find sustainable solutions,” he said.

“Through engagement and dialogue, I am certain we will be able to take forward the work that has already been done to open the doors of learning to all.

“The circumstances that led to Mr Ntumba’s death must be thoroughly investigated and the law must take its course.”

Meanwhile the Minister of Police Bheki Cele, who visited Ntumba’s family on Thursday morning, said his department would be cooperating with the IPID investigation into the conduct of the police.

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