Dan Mdluli
Johannesburg: Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, has announced that he has directed that the Wits University Council, the Wits Management and requested law enforcement authorities to provide an explanation on what caused the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba.
The 35 year-old Ntumba was shot dead, allegedly by police who were dispersing students protesting for non-registration of those with historical debt in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Nzimande sent his sincere condolences to the Ntumba family, friends and colleagues during his briefing on the 2021 funding decisions for prospective students and the commencement of the 2021 academic year on Thursday.
“Before we do that, I want to briefly reflect on the tragic incident that took place yesterday in Braamfontein, where a man lost his life in the midst of a public protest in which the law enforcement agencies became involved.
Our sincere condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. I have directed that the Wits University Council, the Wits Management and requested the relevant law enforcement authorities to provide us with an explanation on what caused this tragedy, and to take whatever steps to ensure justice is done and appropriate responsibility is accorded,” said Nzimande.
Ntumba was from a clinic in the vicinity after a consultation with a doctor when he was shot, apparently three times, according to reports.
During a media briefing outside the Ntumba home, Police Minister, Bheki Cele, was reportedly said the death of Ntumba during the protest over non-registration of students at Wits on Wednesday was something that had no inch, no grain of explanation or defence on it and that somebody, for him, just went crazy.
The matter has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for investigations.
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