It has been reported that 23-year-old Thapelo Menwe was shot and left for dead after being robbed of his belongings.
In surveillance camera footage, Menwe is seen being approached, ambushed and shot in Grosvenor Street in Hatfield, while walking to one of the University of Pretoria (UP) residences.
The university has since released a statement confirming the passing of the B.Com Honours student close to Tuksdorp residence and that the suspect has been arrested.
Some students have shared that they initially thought nothing of the gunshot, however, in an interview, one of them who had walked outside to see the body of the deceased, said:
They could improve in response because the medical unit took some time to get here but they did explain that they were waiting on the police's go ahead.
According to the police, two men were arrested and have appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on charges of murder, armed robbery and the possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.
However, this incident has since raised concerns around safety as there have been reports of mugging in the Hatfield area.
While the UP student community does acknowledge the university’s security policies and measures, some of the students have shared that the security services do not follow through.
According to the university, a green route had been introduced, where security offices are available to accompany both staff members and students to and from the university between 6 PM and 6 AM.
It is said that the university also has a satellite metro police station, staffed by private security and operates on a 24-hour basis.
Stellenbosch University had also urged students to call emergency numbers should they feel that their safety is being compromised, following an incident of rape that took place at one of its student residences.
