LIMPOPO – The University of Limpopo management on Monday expressed devastation over the passing of a male student who allegedly died by suicide.

The body of the former Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) student was found on Sovenga Hill on Friday, and emergency medical services were called to the scene.

Family’s privacy respected amid investigation

University spokesperson Victor Kgomeswana said the student was from Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape and was in his first year of study.

Kgomeswana added that the university has withheld the deceased’s name to protect the family’s privacy at this time.

“We are reluctant to talk about the circumstances around his passing because the family has yet to engage with the university. We are deliberately not identifying him further for that reason and to maintain respect,” he explained.

Sources allege that the university was alerted on Friday morning about a body found on the popular hill, with reports suggesting that it may have been there overnight. Others claim that the student may have died from deliberate poisoning.

University urges counselling support

News of his passing has sent shock waves through the community. Students are urged to seek support from mental-health practitioners available on campus at no cost, Student Representative Council secretary Portia Dube told Polokwane Observer.

“We believe that no problem is unsolvable if adequate assistance is provided. We therefore plead with students to make use of the free services available at the university to preserve life,” she said.

Police spokesperson for Capricorn district, Captain Lesiba Ramoshaba, is yet to respond to Review-Observer regarding the status of the case.