Over the past few weeks, local communities have been rocked by a spate of young people being struck down in the prime of their lives.
ALSO READ: Cabhane shooting leaves two pupils dead, one critical
In the latest incident, a young man from Mtwalume, a first-year student at University of Zululand, was stabbed to death, reportedly by his roommate, on campus last Sunday.
It is claimed that an argument over cold water from the fridge had led to a fight in which Nhlaka Sazi Ngubo (20), died after apparently being stabbed with a bread knife and having his throat slit.
Following the murder, students at the university were captured on video assaulting the suspect, who is now recovering in hospital under police guard.
Police minister Bheki Cele said on Tuesday that action would be taken against those filmed assaulting the suspect.
Angry students responded, telling the minister that they did not feel safe at the university as many fellow students, they said, had died in crime-related incidents.
Mlondi Ngcobo from the Mtwalume area told the Herald he had known Nhlaka for many years and that he had been ‘a very good guy’ with a bright future.
The funeral will take place at the Ngubo homestead this Sunday, September 23 at 9am.
Series of deaths
* Last week, the Herald reported on the Sixikixa family in the Mzamba area who had been devastated by the murder of their daughter.
ALSO READ : Pupil (16) stabbed to death near Marina Beach
Esona ‘Letta’ Sixikixa (16) was found stabbed to death next to the R61 near Bizana after she was attacked while walking from a friend’s house.
No arrests have been made, and investigations continue.
* In a separate incident, a pupil from the Vukuzakhe Special Needs School in Bizana died last Friday after apparently being strangled by another pupil.
Police spokesman Captain Mali Govender said the pupil had been boarding a bus from school when he was attacked.
“The victim died at the scene. The reason for the attack is still unknown and will form part of the investigation.”
Approached for comment on Tuesday this week, teachers at the school declined to speak to the Herald, saying the matter had been ‘put to rest’.
* Two weeks ago, paramedics from Emergency Medical Services and Med-Evac responded to a call concerning a teenage boy found lying at the parking lot at the Umtentweni Waterfront.
Yamkela Mdewuka (17) of Port Shepstone High was allegedly the victim of a hit and run accident.
He later died in hospital.
ALSO READ: School pupil injured in Tweni suspected hit-and-run dies
Captain Petros Zenzele Mpinge had said no arrests had been made and that investigations were continuing.
* In the same week, three pupils were shot in the Cabhane area near Mtwalume. Two of the pupils, Nokuthula Gumede (17) and Mlondi Khumalo (19) were killed while the third was seriously injured.
One suspect was apprehended, and police are still searching for a second.
The ANC Youth League has condemned the violence taking place at various learning institutions and against pupils across the province.
Provincial spokesman Nomagugu Simelane said they were deeply concerned about the sudden rise in the violent deaths of young people and urged society to work with police to ‘put an end to the scourge’.
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