Students at Walter Sisulu University’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha have escalated their protests by barricading the N2 highway with burning tyres and debris.
Walter Sisulu University protests today: What are the latest updates?
The demonstrations, which began earlier this week, have led to significant traffic disruptions and confrontations with law enforcement.
The protests were sparked by the recent court decision to grant R10,000 bail to Manelisi Mampane, the university’s acting residence manager.
Mampane is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm following the fatal shooting of student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a campus protest on 15 April 2025.
Two other students were injured in the incident.
The bail decision has been met with outrage from the student body and the victim’s family. Ncedo Kolanisi, a spokesperson for the Mbolekwa family, expressed shock at the ruling, stating: “We are quite shocked.”
He also raised concerns about the magistrate’s conduct during the proceedings, noting an unexpected adjournment in the middle of delivering the bail ruling.
In response to the protests, Walter Sisulu University has suspended Mampane and initiated an internal investigation into the shooting incident.
The university council has appointed retired Constitutional Court Judge Chris Jafta to lead a commission of inquiry, with advocate Bayethe Maswazi serving as the evidence leader.
The commission is expected to submit an interim report within one month and a final report within three months.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has also launched an inquiry into the lawfulness of the use of force by law enforcement and private security during student protests.
The SAHRC’s findings are anticipated to be released in the coming months.