Tributes for slain CPUT activist
Family still in shock after murder of Siyabulela Thwalani
MOURNERS, including friends, colleagues, family and students from all student political formations commemorated the life of murdered Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) head of residences Siyabulela Thwalani, at the Bellville campus.
Thwalani, who was the head of the troubled residences at Cape Town campus, was shot and killed in his car outside his friend’s home in Ilitha Park in Khayelitsha.
His family and union National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) believe it was an orchestrated hit as nothing was stolen.
Police said the motive was still unknown but they were following up on all possible leads.
“The memorial was a success; it attracted the people Siyabulela added value in their lives to,” said Sipho Hlongwane, family spokesperson and secretary of Nehawu
“He was a candidate for a PhD which he was about to complete. He was standing above the rest academically, grew in the profession as he became the head of residences in the institution,” said Sipho Hlongwane, family spokesperson and secretary of Nehawu. He said the family was still in shock, especially his father.
Provincial secretary of the SACP Benson Ngqentsu said Thwalani’s smile and stubbornness will forever be missed.
“I was at the crime scene on Saturday and still I could not believe it. Family of Thwalani, you are not grieving alone. We strongly condemn this senseless killing and want to know the basis of killing him. We are calling on the police to prioritise this case,” Ngqentsu said.
“We are here to celebrate the life that was dedicated to the people; the work that he did is evident and must carry on.” A second memorial service was held at the OR Tambo (Mew Way) Hall in Khayelitsha. Thwalani will be buried at his home in the Eastern Cape on Sunday.