A tragic incident has rocked Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in the Eastern Cape after a student was shot and killed during a protest on Tuesday morning. The protest, which started peacefully, took a deadly turn when demonstrators moved their action to the residence of a university official.
According to initial police reports, the shooting occurred when students confronted the university residence manager at his home. Tensions escalated quickly, and it’s alleged that the official responded by opening fire on the students without issuing any prior warning. One student was fatally shot during the confrontation.
The incident sent shockwaves across the institution and the wider Mthatha community. Shortly after the shooting, students reportedly set a vehicle ablaze near a student accommodation facility. The motive behind this act is still under investigation, but it is believed to be linked to the unrest sparked by the shooting.
Protest at Walter Sisulu University
As news of the tragedy spread, the university administration announced an immediate suspension of all academic and administrative operations for the remainder of the day. The main campus was placed on high alert, and security was tightened as authorities attempted to stabilize the situation.
By the afternoon, a heavy police presence had taken over the university grounds. Officers from the Public Order Policing unit were stationed at the main gate to prevent students from spilling onto the adjacent N2 highway—a major transport route in the province. Police vehicles lined the entrance while officers kept a close watch on the growing crowd of protestors.
Despite the tense atmosphere, students remained steadfast in their cause. They say their protest was not driven by violence, but by frustration over long-standing grievances that had gone unanswered by the university administration.
Among the core demands are the establishment of a larger and better-equipped study centre, improved internet connectivity across campus, and safer student housing conditions. A key point of concern is the presence of male security guards at female residences—a situation that students argue makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable.
Afikile Magubeni, a member of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), gave a harrowing account of the morning’s events.
“We’ve been following up on these issues for weeks, but there’s been no response,” Magubeni said. “When we went to the official’s house to call for answers, the students began shouting his name. He came out and, without saying a word, started firing shots at the crowd. One of our fellow students was hit and didn’t survive.”
The university has not yet released a formal statement addressing the shooting or confirming the identity of the student who was killed. However, internal sources suggest that an investigation is underway, and the residence manager involved in the incident has been taken into police custody for questioning.
Meanwhile, students have continued to gather at the university’s entrance, mourning the loss of their peer and calling for justice. They are demanding accountability from the institution and law enforcement, as well as a swift and transparent investigation into the fatal shooting.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that they are handling the matter with urgency, and additional reinforcements may be deployed to ensure the safety of students and staff.
This incident adds to a growing list of campus unrest cases across South African universities, where students have increasingly taken to protests to voice concerns over accommodation, safety, and access to resources.
As the community mourns, questions remain about how such a situation could have escalated so rapidly—and what steps WSU will take to prevent further tragedies.
