Tragedy Strikes Walter Sisulu University As Staff Member Shot Dead

Mthatha– Deputy vice chancellor of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Sinethemba Mpambane, was tragically shot and killed on the university’s Mthatha campus on Thursday evening.

The incident took place just before 6 PM near the Nkululekweni entrance gate, close to the N2 highway.

According to Eastern Cape police, the victim was found inside a parked vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds.

Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana stated, “Preliminary forensic analysis confirms the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds while seated in the driver’s seat. The motive remains unknown.”

This shocking event comes as Mthatha residents are already mourning the loss of lives from devastating floods that occurred last week, which left at least 92 people dead and over 4,000 households affected. A day of mourning was held at the nearby King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College on Thursday.

Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso emphasized the urgency of the investigation, saying, “We have mobilized maximum resources to pursue all leads in the staff member’s murder. Public speculation must be avoided to preserve the integrity of the investigation.”

This is not the first violent incident at WSU. Earlier this year, on April 15, a Bachelor of Education student named Sisonke Mbolekwa was shot dead, allegedly by the university’s residence manager, Manelisi Mampane.

Mampane has been arrested and faces charges including murder and attempted murder, but is currently out on R10,000 bail.

The community is left in shock as they grapple with the impact of these tragic events.