By Thapelo Molefe
The family of Lizwa Sinoyolo Ndzumo, a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student who survived a fatal shooting on campus last week, has accused the university of providing false information and failing to support them in the aftermath of the incident.
Ndzumo, a second-year BSc Environmental Studies student, was shot allegedly by a residence manager last Tuesday, during a student protest over poor living conditions at the university residences. His fellow student, Sisonke Mbolekwa, was also shot and later died from his injuries.
The 54-year-old man accused of shooting students was arrested and faces charges of murder and attempted murder. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Speaking to Inside Politics, Ndzumo’s aunt, Ayabonga Ndzumo, who is also his guardian, expressed frustration with the university’s handling of the situation.
“WSU has not contacted us since the day Lizwa was shot—not until Thursday morning,” she said. “And when they finally did, they lied.”
She stated that university officials informed the family that Ndzumo had been injured but was already discharged from the hospital.
“I had to correct them—Lizwa was shot. What they said about minor injuries was completely false. As we speak, he’s still in hospital, in a critical condition, with a bullet in his waist.”
Due to concerns over Ndzumo’s safety, the family transferred him to a different hospital outside Mthatha, the name of which they have chosen not to disclose.
They also reported that the university has not offered any financial assistance for his medical expenses.
Ndzumo was reportedly the first person shot during the confrontation. Despite his injuries, he assisted in transporting Mbolekwa to the hospital with the help of another student who had a car.
“Lizwa told us that if the hospital staff hadn’t taken so long to assist them when they arrived, Sisonke might still be alive. He died in Lizwa’s arms.”
The family has refrained from commenting on the arrest of the residence manager but questioned the impartiality of the police response.
“We have no feelings about the arrest. The police have already shown us whose side they’re on.”
The family remains focused on Ndzumo’s recovery as doctors work to remove the bullet from his waist.
“Our only priority is Lizwa’s health. WSU will have to answer for their role in this, one way or another,” Dzumo said.
In the wake of the shooting, WSU management ordered students to vacate campus residences by Friday, citing safety concerns.
Tensions escalated into violent confrontations between students and private security personnel. The clashes came after the university issued an eviction notice to students, which the Student Representative Council has strongly opposed, citing unresolved grievances related to campus living conditions.
The SRC filed an urgent application to the Mthatha High Court to halt the evictions.
The court ruled in favor of the SRC, interdicting the university from evicting students and also prohibiting students from damaging university property.
INSIDE EDUCATION
