Tragic news has fallen over South Africa after a PHD student from the University of Witswatersrand reportedly committed suicide following his study permit expiring, resulting in him being unable to register for the future academic year at the University.
His death occurred over the weekend according to the University, who added that Philip Chuma, a Zimbabwean, was a dedicated student part of the School of Education, as per News24.
Universities can’t register foreign students if they don’t have a study permit, according to Shirona Patel, the university’s spokesperson. Chuma had been in contact with Home Affairs to process his documents, which expired in January this year.
This follows the exemption permit debate that happened late last year, whereby the government reversed its directive to end Exemption Permits for Zimbabweans, and opted not to renew the ZEP beyond a 12 month ‘grace period’.
Last year, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group indicated that 30.6% of students had thought about suicide as per their date for the past 12 months from the report, and 2.4% had attempted.
The conversations speaks not only to the dire pressure of the future for the youth, both foreign and local, but also to the growing concerns related to mental health wellbeing in South Africa – for all who live here.
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Picture: Wits