Students hurt in Polokwane registration stampede
Campus security blamed for chaos
At least one student was seriously injured and had to be hospitalised while five others collapsed during a stampede at the Capricorn Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (TVET) in Polokwane, Limpopo, yesterday.
The student, identified by police as Tshepo Malatji, 22, from Tzaneen, was injured when students pushed and shoved to forcefully gain access to the campus for registration.
The incident led to the college suspending the registration process.
According to students, the stampede occurred after campus security allowed students to form parallel queues.
Student Pontso Malakane from Makhado, outside Thohoyandou, said some people had been queueing since Tuesday night.
“Then when we saw new people being pushed forward a scuffle broke out. I have been coming here since Monday and they keep on postponing the registration date,” she said.
Maphala Malebana, a mother who came to register her four children, said she had been camping outside the campus since Monday.
“I only received a communication yesterday that registration will be done on Monday at Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
“I’m disappointed because I slept here and I wish somebody could speak to us and clarify what is happening,” she said.
Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the security officers opened the gates for the applicants.
“A stampede ensued as the applicants were jostling for access, resulting in serious injuries. The injured applicant was transported to Pietersburg Provincial Hospital for medical treatment,” he said.
The EFF Students’ Command national spokesman Mangaliso Sambo said students were left unattended and locked out of the college by management for two nights, until they decided to open the gates for themselves.
Meanwhile, police are searching for the driver of a white Mercedes-Benz which allegedly ran over two students outside the same college.