EMALAHLENI – Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Witbank campus students have been plunged into turmoil following the tragic death of 25-year-old Thabelo Mbau. The young student, pursuing a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and in his second year of studies, met a brutal end allegedly at the hands of four police officers. The incident, which occurred on March 9 at the Khayalethu student residence, has sparked widespread anger and protests among the student body.
Reports indicate that Mbau succumbed to his injuries at the Witbank General Hospital after being severely beaten for public drinking. On Tuesday, March 12, thousands of students took to the streets heading to Witbank Police Station demanding justice for Mbau. Speaking on behalf of the grieving students, Potego Mabilo, TUT campus SRC president said, “We have marched from TUT as it was our meeting point to the Witbank police station, where we wanted to submit a memorandum. Indeed, we have submitted our memorandum. It was accepted and signed.”
“The police have assured us that those murderers who killed our student, currently they’ve been suspended and they are no longer coming to work,” he explained.
“The station commander has reassured us that he is going to make a follow-up with Corridor Hills to ensure that the students are allowed to go and have their refreshments outside their residences since it’s a private space and there’s no justification for beating a person for public drinking, beating a person until he dies,” he added. A student who wished to remain anonymous said, “We have lost a brother, a friend, TUT has lost a student, and a family has lost a son. The police must deal with the matter the same way they killed a student. We are in full support of seeking justice for our fellow mate who lost his life.” “He was a good person and very calm.
He loved school as well,” he added. The police have confirmed receipt of the memorandum, and the case has been transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigations. However, on day of the protest, four TUT students were apprehended by law enforcement following a peaceful demonstration that spiralled into a violent clash with the police.
The protest tragically escalated into chaos as authorities resorted to using rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. The arrested students were part of a larger group of protestors on campus seeking accountability for the alleged killing of Mbau. Police reportedly stated that some students threw stones at the police, provoking a volley of rubber bullets. Unfortunately, this resulted in some students being arrested and then hospitalized.
A list of grievances was presented by the students, and among the demands that stood out was demanding the immediate arrest of all officers implicated in the tragedy. SAPS Provincial Spokesperson, Captain Magonseni Nkosi said police officials had to retaliate and disperse the crowd using rubber bullets.
TUT SRC President Potego Mabilo said they would ensure that those arrested would be released. He said those who sustained injuries were attended to. TUT has since conveyed condolences to the Mbau family, friends, and fellow students and further pledged support. “The University is providing the family and friends of the deceased with as much support as we can at this difficult time.”
