Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkhongi has described the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape, as a crime-ridden and drug-infested institution. He has been speaking at Nelson Mandela Drive campus where he engaged with stakeholders in an effort to address the high rate of crime on the campus.
Five students were arrested following a drug bust at the university premises a month ago. Mkhongi is visiting the institution for the second time.
Last year he visited the university after the killing of medical student Lwando Mantshontsho who was stabbed on the premises.
Prior to that, two alleged robbers were beaten to death by students after a number of criminals attempted to rob students on campus. Another student died later in hospital.
These incidents have raised questions about the safety of the university community. During his visit last year, Mkhongi promised that a satellite police station would be established.
However, he has since offered to deploy a mobile police station. He says lawlessness is prevalent at the institution. “We are here because, the police gave us crime statistics of this university, those crime statistics are scary for example there was one case of rape but this year there has been six , we are going to intervene because we hear there is lawlessness and people are binge drinking.”
Stakeholders, including university management, raised the issue of lack of safety and security on campus.
Chief Executive Officer of Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority, Sam Chauke, says they deal with all elements of criminality at the university.
“What we have discovered here is the issue of poor governance. We will work together with all relevant stakeholders to intensify security and ensure there is safety.”
The university and the students have welcomed the intervention. “He has promised to come back it shows they are taking the matter seriously. We hope that there will be no more incidents of rape and murders here,” says Walter Sisulu University Spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo.
The Student Representative Council is also eager to work with management to fight crime and other social the ills at the institution.
“We are hoping the resolutions will be taken and we hope for periodical engagement with the police and the management to ensure we eradicate the scourge,” says SRC president Mxolisi Zoko.
Stakeholders at the institution say a mobile police station will go a long way in dealing with criminal elements on campus.
