As South Africans commemorates Youth Month in June every, the commemoration by students at University of Zululand started on a sad note, when one of their student was allegedly stabbed to death by fellow student. The fatal accident came at a time when students where preparing for their midyear exams. It is alleged the victim owed the other student R70, and unfortunately he paid with his life.
On the day of the accident the 22-year-old Thulebuka Maphumulo, went to the campus tuckshop to buy cigarettes. While at the tuckshop a fellow student approached him asking about the money owed to him, an argument broke between the students, which led to a fight. The perpetrator drew a knife and fatally stabbed Maphumulo to death. The campus students where shocked and traumatised as the lifeless body of their fellow student was lying in the pool of blood.
The 23 year old student who witness the brutal death of Maphumulo, says they are in shock as they heard during the argument that the victim owed a mere R70 “No one thought the fight could end deadly because it was just a small amount of money he owed the other student. The day went from being a chilled day to being the worst nightmare for all of us who saw the body on the ground. We commend the cops for responding immediately and removing the perpetrator from campus,”
The University’s SRC secretary Mpiliso Khulani says they are saddened by the death of their fellow student. He said the worse part is students are preparing for their exams, and he asked the University management to organise counseling for students who witnessed the killing. The University said they will not disclose personal information of the deceased.
Their spokeswoman Gcina Nhleko-Mdluli said “It is regrettable that while every reasonable measure is taken to provide a safe environment for students, isolated incidents tragically occur beyond the university’s control. A criminal case has been registered with SAPS and the perpetrator has been taken into custody. Since an investigation is pending, the university will not comment further on the incident.”
