The family of a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) student who died after a stampede at the university’s fresher’s party says they have been left out in the cold.
Carol Mabunda died at the university’s main campus in Pretoria on May 10. She was a second-year National Diploma in Contact Management student at TUT.
The family is bemoaning that they have not been given an update on the progress of the police investigation. They have also not heard anything from the institution since their daughter passed away in May.
According to reports, Mabunda, who is from Giyani in Limpopo, is believed to have been caught up in a stampede during the annual freshmen’s party.
Allegations of foul play
However, there are allegations that Mabunda passed away after sustaining a wound from a sharp object.
This week, Sunday World spoke to Mabunda’s brother, Nhlanhla. He said the family has not heard anything from the university since the funeral.
Nhlanhla said the last time they heard anything from officials at TUT and the police was during the week of Carol’s funeral.
“We really don’t know anything that is going on in terms of the investigation, we want to know. Since the funeral, we have not heard anything at all,” Nhlanhla said.
“We are still heartbroken. It is worse now because we don’t even have the correct answers as to what happened on the day Carol died. [That] is heartbreaking because she was an only daughter. Everyone at home was looking forward to seeing great rings from her,” he said.
Annual gig for students
TUT holds a fresher’s ball every year. The student representative council, Khensani Events Management, and Corporate Artists Agency, collaborate to host the event. It’s an annual TUT Freshers Music Festival as an outdoor event.
The annual party features a festival with food markets, brand activations, and pop-up stores.
Numerous students from other higher education institutions in Gauteng frequently attend the festival. The event typically lasts until the early hours of the following day.
Nhlanhla said the stalling progress of the investigations is making it hard for the family to accept their loss.
“It is July now. Carol should have been here with the family. My son keeps asking when his aunt is coming back because she had promised that she would bring him a toy gun. It’s very heartbreaking to explain all this to a child over and over again,” Nhlanhla added.
Media campaign for justice by students
Carol’s passing prompted a social media campaign calling for #justiceforCarol. This as fellow students voiced their frustrations. They complain that the event was poorly organised and the safety of students was compromised.
The students accused the security on site of assaulting them and pouring water at them. This made the ground muddy, and that is how the students fell and caused a stampede.
TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said the university has been in regular contact with the police, impressing upon them how urgent their report is for the Mabunda family and the university.
“Until now, the SAPS has informed us that their investigation is not yet complete.
“With due regard to the grief in which the family has been immersed and with sensitivity to their specific needs at this time, the university has been in regular contact with the Mabunda family.
She said the university has provided the family with various forms of support, before, during and since the funeral.
Tshisikhawe added that all fresher’s ball events have been called off, pending the outcome of the inquest by the SAPS and the university’s further reflection on the SAPS report.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect the comment of TUT.
