This, as the police report that four gun-wielding men on Wednesday morning accosted students, demanding laptops and cellphones, among others, and shot at them. As a result, two students - one from the UFS and one from the local TVET College - died whilst two other students were left injured and had to be hospitalised. 

The UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader, tells OFM News that the university wants to express its sadness and shock following the deaths of its students at the Phuthaditjhaba campus in Qwaqwa, in the Free State. 

Meanwhile, Loader says the university has also sent its condolences to the family of another student, the 20-year-old Wonder Emmanuel, who was found dead in his room after failing to show up for his exam Wednesday morning.

Loader, says the institution has extended its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, and friends of the students. She says the police are busy with the investigations in both instances.

Loader adds they are wishing families of the victims strength during this difficult time and will provide as much support as possible to the group.

Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, previously told OFM News that Dlamini was found dead after he was reported absent by a worried friend. He said after the report by a friend to Student Affairs and the head of the residence, Dlamini was discovered on the floor next to his bed with blood in his nose.

Makhele said Dlamini's body was found on Wednesday morning and he was declared dead on the scene.

In April this year, OFM News reported that another student at the UFS' Bloemfontein campus, the 23-year-old Litemba Mpambani, who was a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) student, was killed during a hit-and-run after suffering a blunt force head injury. No one has been arrested for the incident yet.  

OFM News