VANDERBIJLPARK – What started as a quiet morning quickly turned into a tragedy when a gardener discovered a student’s lifeless body floating at the North West University dam on May 2.
Vanderbijlpark SAPS is investigating the mysterious death and has urged the varsity community to come forward with information.
According to police spokesperson Sergeant Sabelo Sigcu, their members were contacted after the gardener alerted the campus protection services.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the body belonging to a young African male, believed to be a student at the institution.
“The body of the deceased was found floating in the dam. There were no visible injuries, and he was certified dead at the scene,” Sigcu confirmed.
According to the police, all relevant stakeholders were called to the scene to assist with preliminary investigations.
“We are investigating an inquest docket. We are urging students or anyone who might have seen anything concerning the drowning of the victim to contact our station, or the investigating team anonymously on 071 675 7246,” Sigcu urged.
Brigadier Phiwe Ndwandwe, Station Commander at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station, echoed the call for information that could aid the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, NWU spokesperson Louis Jacobs said the university expresses condolences to the family and friends of the 20-year-old Mojalefa Reabetswe Nthebe.
“He was a second-year student in Industrial Psychology. Immediately after his body was discovered, the matter was reported to the police, who are investigating the inquest case docket. Protection Services is providing all possible support to the police in their investigation. As is the case after any such incident, counselling is provided to those in need of it. Because the matter is in the hands of the police, no further information will be provided by the NWU,” he said.
