Central SA
Culpable homicide case opened after death of NWU Vaal students─── ZENANDE MPAME 07:51 Tue, 20 Aug 2024
“Four died on the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.”
Vereeniging police are investigating a culpable homicide case after six North-West University (NWU) students from the Vanderbijlpark campus lost their lives in a car accident.
The six students died on Sunday (18/8) when the driver of the vehicle they were travelling in lost control, causing his vehicle ”to fall into a hole” less than 10km from their residence.
The students were identified as Sinethemba Tshabale, Kananelo Mokhele, Katlego Ramodibe, Olwethu Khojane, Simphiwe Nzimande, and Tshepo Maboea. Meanwhile, Zuko Maphisa and Thembile Mbelekane survived the crash and are hospitalised.
‘Two more succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital’
“A culpable homicide case was opened and is under investigation after the death of six NWU university students on Sunday,” said Vereeniging police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza.
“The vehicle in which the students were passengers overturned. Four died on the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.”
News24 reports the students went out with friends on Sunday. Eight of them were travelling in a Hyundai i10. “It seems they were travelling from Vanderbijlpark to Vereeniging when the driver lost control and the car fell into a hole,” said one of the deceased student’s aunts.
A notice at the NWU Vaal. Picture: Facebook
The students were a mix of first- and second-year students from the economics and education faculties.
“It’s with a heavy heart that the North-West University community took note of the tragic news of an accident that involved eight of our students in the early hours of Sunday morning,” said NWU media spokesperson, Louis Jacobs.
“Six of the students sadly lost their lives while two remain in hospital still. Throughout the day yesterday, we assisted family, friends, and staff members of the university with counselling after the tragic news reached everybody.”
‘It’s unclear at this stage how many occupants were in the vehicle’
We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and we wish our other two students who are still in hospital a speedy recovery, he said.
Vaalweekblad reports Sedibeng district police spokesperson Teboho Lephoto said it’s unclear at this stage how many occupants were in the vehicle at the time, but it has been certified that six students have died and others are critical at the hospital.
