The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has verified that the individual fatally shot by a resident manager at Walter Sisulu University was indeed a student affiliated with the university.
Minister Nobuhle On April 16, 2025, Nkabane went to Walter Sisulu University after the passing of a student named Sisonke Mbolekwa, along with two others who were killed when a dormitory supervisor opened fire on them. This incident occurred as students had reportedly lit the supervisor’s vehicle ablaze close to a dormitory amid a demonstration.
As stated by Nkabane during a press briefing at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, Mbolekwa was enrolled as a student and was also receiving financial assistance from NSFAS.
"Based on the NSFAS records available here with me, the most recent payment or disbursement to both the institution and the student occurred towards the close of last year. Therefore, I can confirm that he was indeed enrolled as a student," stated Nkabane.
[caption id="attachment_2682448" align="alignnone" width="1890"] Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, Minister of Higher Education and Training. (Image: Gallo Images / Fani Mahunta) [/caption]
Nkabane travelled to Masakana Village in Matatiele to visit Mbolekwa’s relatives and offer his sympathies to them.
“As representatives of the government, we have come here to offer solace to the family… We learned about this heartbreaking event through our channels for higher education and took steps to respond accordingly. Due to the sensitivity of the situation, we only arrived yesterday... Words fail us, but we wanted to extend our apologies to the family regarding the loss of their child," stated Nkabane.
The university as well as the Department of Higher Education and Training had earlier issued two distinct announcements stating that another individual had passed away, and this person was neither a registered student nor an employee at the university.
The university verifies that Mbolekwa was indeed a student.
Even though Daily Maverick reported that Mbolekwa wasn’t a student and the institution released an announcement on April 15, 2025, the university has since reversed its position and acknowledged that Mbolekwa was indeed one of their students.
"Sisonke was a student at Walter Sisulu University pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree in 2023 and 2024. Due to financial constraints, Sisonke couldn’t enroll again in 2025; however, in March 2025, they made the necessary minimal initial payment with plans to sign up soon. During this event, another two students—Ntando Gqetywa and Lizwa Ndzumo—received slight injuries but were released from the hospital," stated the announcement.
As stated by Themba Zikhali, who leads the Student Representative Council at the campus, there was a confrontation between the residence manager and the students.
"He (the residence manager) emerged, leading to an argument with some students. Following this, there was gunfire involved. The individual fired four rounds; two were directed towards the student who later died, and the remaining two shots hit each of the other two students separately. We attempted to urgently transport all three affected students to the hospital, where the deceased youth was critically ill... Upon our arrival at the medical facility, within less than ten minutes, they had succumbed," explained Zikhali.
Read more: Disorder ensues at Walter Sisulu University as one person dies and three others are hurt during a campus shooting incident.
Accommodation conditions
Previously, Daily Maverick reported that SAPS Eastern Cape Commissioner Brigadier Nobunto Gantana issued a statement regarding the shooting incident. The statement confirmed that the car which students had set ablaze belonged to the residence manager.
The statement went on to say that “his wife was hit on the head with a hard object. The family was rescued by Mthatha Public Order Policing.
Daily Maverick interviewed an anonymous student from Walter Sisulu University.
The student claims that the state of the dormitory is terribly poor and the facilities are rundown.
We requested that the cost of this dwelling be reduced from R40,000 to R38,000 due to several issues," explained the student. "The rooms are infested with cockroaches, the walls are filthy, and the wardrobe is in poor condition. Additionally, some doors won’t close properly, including my main entrance which isn't secure either. Several light fixtures aren't functioning as the wiring has been damaged. Furthermore, there are no microwave ovens or refrigerators provided. Many electrical outlets aren’t operational, so we had to find ways to cover up our windows since they lack proper window treatments.
[caption id="attachment_2682670" align="alignnone" width="1220"] The Chumani Residence at Walter Sisulu University lacks proper doors, numerous windows are damaged, and the Wi-Fi connectivity is subpar. (Image: Hoseya Jubase) [/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2682671" align="alignnone" width="906"] Corrugated cardboard is employed to cover up a shattered window at Chumani Residence. (Image: Hoseya Jubase) [/caption]
A fellow student, preferring to stay unnamed, informed Daily Maverick about the ongoing gunfire at the university, stating that security personnel were firing rubber bullets at students located at the Unitra Campus in Mthatha.
[caption id="attachment_2683017" align="alignnone" width="901"] It was alleged that rubber bullets were fired at the students residing in various dormitories of Walter Sisulu University.
(Photo: Supplied)[/caption]
"We were holding a meeting as students to discuss our way forward when we suddenly spotted Fidelity buses outside. Immediately after, gunshots rang out and tear gas filled the air. The authorities then confined us within our dormitories. One of my fellow students, seated inside his room, got hit in the mouth with a bullet, while several others were struck in the head," recounted the student.
[caption id="attachment_2683020" align="alignnone" width="1179"] Students from Walter Sisulu University were injured when they claim security personnel working for Fidelity fired upon them. A female student was hit in the mouth.
(Photo: Supplied)[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_2683018" align="alignnone" width="1018"] Walter Sisulu University students report sustaining injuries following claims that security personnel from Fidelity fired shots at them.
(Photo: Supplied)[/caption]
The Daily Maverick interviewed Lukhanyo Daweti, the secretary-general of the South African Union of Students, who stated that the Department of Higher Education and Training should conduct comprehensive quality checks on the safety measures and their implementation at educational institutions.
“It is our understanding that no staff member or student is allowed to have a firearm on the university premises, and that is clearly communicated through signs as you enter any campus, so is this a special provision for res managers, and what is the basis?” asked Daweti.
On Thursday afternoon, the Eastern Cape Police Commissioner Brigadier Nobunto Gantana issued a statement indicating that "the Eastern Cape branch of the South African Police Service confirms that a suspect has been apprehended in relation to the shooting incident at Walter Sisulu University on Tuesday."
On Tuesday, 17 April 2025, law enforcement apprehended a 54-year-old individual in Mthatha who faces charges of murder and attempted murder. His first appearance at court is scheduled for 22 April 2025. Despite this significant development, detectives continue their ongoing probe into the case.
Daily Maverick is awaiting a statement from the university regarding the reported shootings, and this article will be updated once we receive their comments. DM
The article was updated on April 17 at 5:15 PM with a statement from the Eastern Cape Police Commissioner.