On Monday morning, the body of a first-year Stellenbosch University student was recovered from the local Welgevallen Dam, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Anelisiwe Manyana, a Western Cape police spokesperson, said officers responded to reports of a drowning around 5pm on Sunday.
‘Provincial [police] divers recovered the body of a 19-year-old male student today, Monday, at around 09:05. An inquest docket has been registered for further investigation,’ said Manyana.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch University confirmed to News24 that the deceased was a Bachelor of Science student who resided in the Dagbreek men’s house and expressed condolences to the student’s friends and family.
‘The news about the tragic loss of another young life is deeply saddening to the University community,’ said Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, deputy vice-chancellor: Learning and Teaching.
‘Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and classmates of the deceased during this time of mourning. May they garner strength in this very difficult time knowing they have the support of the SU community.’
Staff members of the Division of Student Affairs have been in contact with the family and expressed the university’s condolences.
Students in need of counselling are encouraged to contact the university’s 24-hour Crisis Service at 010 205 3032 after hours and 021 808 4994 during office hours.
This comes a matter of days after a 19-year-old first-year student was robbed and fatally stabbed in an unrelated incident.
It is believed that the victim was riding his bicycle down Borcherd Road in Stellenbosch when he was accosted, stabbed in the neck and robbed of his personal belongings.
He succumbed to the fatal stab wound to the neck.
The Stellenbosch University (SU) community released a statement expressing shock and sadness following the student’s murder.
Four suspects were arrested and appeared in court following the murder.
Also read:
Four suspects arrested for murder of Stellenbosch University student
Picture: Google Earth
