A senior staff member of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) was fatally shot on Thursday evening near the Mthatha main campus. The shooting occurred near the Nkululekweni Entrance gate, close to the N2 highway, just before 18:00.
Walter Sisulu University employee killed in shooting
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, the victim was found seated in the driver’s position of a stationary vehicle, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
“Preliminary forensic analysis confirms the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds while seated in the driver’s position,” said Gantana.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased. The motive for the killing remains unknown at this stage, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
Police have launched an investigation and urged the public to refrain from making assumptions about the incident.
Acting provincial police commissioner Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso assured the public that law enforcement is pursuing all possible leads. Kupiso also urged anyone with information to come forward to assist with the investigation.
The killing comes just one week after student protests escalated at WSU’s Nelson Mandela Drive campus, also located in Mthatha.
The protests involved the blocking of the N2 highway using burning tyres and other debris, resulting in traffic disruptions and clashes with police.
The unrest was triggered by the bail release of Manelisi Mampane, the acting residence manager at the university, who is facing multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
These charges stem from the fatal shooting of student Sisonke Mbolekwa during a campus protest on 15 April 2025. Two other students were injured during that incident.
The court’s decision to grant Mampane R10,000 bail has been met with strong opposition from students and the victim’s family. Ncedo Kolanisi, a spokesperson for the Mbolekwa family, said:
“We are quite shocked,” adding that the magistrate’s abrupt adjournment during the bail ruling raised concerns about the proceedings.
In response to the April shooting, the university suspended Mampane and launched an internal investigation.
The WSU council has appointed retired Constitutional Court judge Chris Jafta to head a commission of inquiry, with advocate Bayethe Maswazi as the evidence leader.
The commission is expected to deliver an interim report within a month and a final report in three months.
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has also opened an inquiry into the conduct of law enforcement and private security during student demonstrations. The SAHRC will examine whether excessive force was used and plans to release its findings in the coming months.
