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Aerial view of the University of Johannesburg.
Two students from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Soweto campus are still at large following the murder of a learner.
Two other students were arrested yesterday and will appear in court soon.
On Tuesday, the students who had been drinking allegedly stopped a school bus and demanded that the driver take them to buy more alcohol.
However, the learners protested as they wanted to go home.
One of them, an 18-year-old, was reportedly beaten with a baseball bat and his throat was slit.
The community from Pimville in Soweto has been protesting outside the campus since Wednesday.
In a statement, UJ management condemned the incident.
The university says: “As a University, we convey our deepest condolences and sympathy to the deceased learner’s family, relatives and the school community he was part of. This is not the kind of news any parent expects, and our prayers are with the family and friends of the learner during this difficult time.”
“UJ wishes to state on record that it condemns in the strongest terms possible any acts of violence and intimidation. Such behaviour starkly contrasts with the University’s values of respect, dignity, and integrity, and the University will not hesitate to take immediate and strong action against any of our students should they be found guilty of any transgressions.”
Meanwhile, Sebata Tshoanetse, who is from the African National Congress Youth League in Pimville, says they want the university to contribute to the learner’s funeral costs.
“We wanted the university to commit towards the funeral arrangements of the deceased learner, but what we got from the inside was not a full commitment from the university; instead, it was a commitment from the Department of Education – and we believe the Department of Education is also a victim in this ordeal.”
MEC CHILOANE DEVASTATED BY DEATH OF SIMPHIWE BIYELA AND UNREST AT SOWETO SCHOOLS
Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano is deeply devastated by the tragic death of a Simphiwe ‘Mcebo’ Biyela, an 18-year-old Grade 11 boy learner from Musi High School in Soweto, who was allegedly… pic.twitter.com/aURfchDRKR
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) May 8, 2025
