WSU protest: EC cops nab suspect after fatal shooting of young man

JOHANNESBURG - A suspect has been arrested for the fatal shooting of a young man during this week’s violent student protests at the Walter Sisulu University (WSU).

Sisonke Mbolekwa was allegedly shot by a residence manager amid tensions at a campus residence over the poor state of accommodation.

His death on Tuesday led to further protests at the institution as students called for answers on the use of force on campus.

The Eastern Cape’s police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana explains: “The 54-year-old suspect has been arrested today, 17 April 2025 in Mthatha. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He is due to appear in court on 22 April 2025.”

Private security and students at the Mthatha campus again clashed on Thursday afternoon where rubber bullets were fired to disperse the protesting crowd.

The registrar at WSU, Lulamile Ntonzima, says the institution’s management is unclear of what triggered the confrontation.

“We are establishing what happened with the situation. We are aware about that, and we are trying to figure exactly what has happened for that to be the case.”