In a shocking and tragic incident, Sinethemba Mpambane, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support and Development at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), was fatally shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle on the evening of 19 June 2025. The harrowing event unfolded at the entrance of the university’s Nkululekweni facility in Mthatha, leaving the academic community in profound sorrow and concern.
This devastating loss strikes just weeks after another tragic occurrence on the WSU campus, where Sisonke Mbolekwa, a promising final-year student, was killed during a protest. Both incidents have raised alarm bells regarding safety and violence on campus, prompting urgent calls for action from various stakeholders.
Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, expressed her deep anguish over the latest shooting. “The academic community cannot thrive in an environment characterised by fear and violence. Institutions of higher learning must remain sanctuaries for teaching, learning, and transformation,” she stated during her visit to the university following the tragedy.
As the investigation unfolds, the motives behind Mpambane’s shooting remain murky. National police commissioner Fannie Masemola reported that a multi-disciplinary team has been assembled to probe the circumstances surrounding the murder. Initial findings indicate that robbery cannot be the motive, as Mpambane’s belongings, including a laptop, cellphones, and cash amounting to R27,000, were found untouched in his vehicle.
Masemola, however, cautioned against conjecture surrounding the shootings, noting the history of violence at WSU, which has seen rising cases including the recent arrest of a staff member charged with attempted murder after firing shots at protesting students. The troubling pattern of violence at the institution, especially in the aftermath of such brutal killings, calls for a thorough examination of security measures.
The Minister is set to engage directly with Professor Rushiella Songca, the Vice-Chancellor of Walter Sisulu University, and the Chairperson of the University Council to review existing security protocols. Dr Nkabane underscored the urgency of the situation, stating that “this brutal killing must not only be condemned but must serve as a call to action to restore peace, safety, and dignity to our institutions.”
In her message of condolence to Mpambane’s family and the broader university community, she affirmed that the existence of violence should not define the educational landscape in South Africa. “Our universities must not become places of violence and loss. They must remain spaces of hope, growth, and opportunity,” she emphasised.
Police are investigating a possible hit and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.