Nkabane confirms slain WSU victim was a student, demands action

By Thapelo Molefe

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has confirmed that the student who was shot dead at Walter Sisulu University on Tuesday is a registered student, which directly contradicts the university’s earlier press statement.

“According to our NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) record that I have here with me, the last payment of disbursement of funds to the university and to the students was at the end of last year. So, I can affirm today that indeed he was a student,” Nkabane said during a visit to the institution’s Mthatha campus on Wednesday.

Her confirmation comes after WSU issued a statement on Tuesday claiming that the deceased, who was killed during protests by students over living conditions at the university, was not registered.

The claim sparked outrage among the student body, which insisted the young man was actively attending classes and participating in campus life.

Nkabane