WSU student in critical condition after armed robbers climb over fence

Armed robbers who targeted off-campus residence still at large

A Walter Sisulu University student is in critical condition in an East London hospital after he was shot in a robbery on Wednesday evening.

Apparently two robbers entered the privately owned male residence in Southernwood by climbing over the back fence.

They held two students at knife- and gunpoint demanding laptops, cellphones and cash, police confirmed.

The first student was tied up with a T-shirt stuffed into his mouth while the intruders robbed the other student.

One of the students called for help and other students emerged from their rooms.

There was a commotion and the intruders fired two shots, hitting one of the students who had come to help.

Another student, who asked not to be named, told the Dispatch: “The two men entered our residence through the back.

“The security guard was at the front.

“When they robbed the two students, one called for help and we charged out in a rage. “We closed the front entrance — there were so many of us and we wanted to catch them.

“They fired several shots and we all ran in different directions.

“Unfortunately, one of the students, who had not been robbed, was hit by a bullet. The robbers then ran away.”

Another student said: “When we came out to accost them we noticed they had guns and knives.

“After the firing of shots, students dispersed because we feared for our lives. The robbers ran away with the belongings.”

A third student said: “We were terrified by the incident. We are afraid because we don’t know what will happen to us next.

“If those men can enter a male residence and rob us, surely anything can happen to us.”

Vuyo Tologu, the ANCYL’S zonal chair in East London, said the safety of students needed to be prioritised.

“We urge the university to investigate and further intensify residence security.

“We wish the victim a speedy recovery. Lastly we call on students to be wary of such tragic elements within our toxic communities and prioritise their safety at all costs.”

WSU spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo said according to the information they had, the intruders had climbed over a wall topped with razor wire.

She said the injured student was doing a diploma in internal auditing.

Police spokesperson W/O Majola Nkohli said: “The men entered the first room and at gunpoint they allegedly robbed a student of a cellphone.

“They then went to another room, where a male student was robbed of his laptop, two cellphones and cash.

“As the two men were fleeing the scene, the second victim screamed for help,” Nkohli said.

“A group of other students gave chase and in the process the assailants fired several shots.

“One student was hit in the lower body and was rushed to hospital.

“The two men fled and are still at large.”

Nkohli said a case of attempted murder and house robbery had been opened.

“Police are urging anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact the nearest police station. The information may also be shared via Crime Stop on 08600-10111.”

Tukwayo said the student affairs unit had arranged trauma counselling for the affected students.

“The university security cluster is at the residence assessing security improvements over and above the security guard posted at the residence and razor wire along the parameter.

“It is always a sobering moment when such incidents take place on campus or in residences off-campus.

“Universities are not immune to societal problems and our university is a microcosm of the society we live in, even though we aim to eliminate such incidents from our environment.

“WSU wishes our student a speedy recovery and healing to all those traumatised by this experience.”