Death: ‘blame no free tuition’

The leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in KwaZulu-Natal told those attending a memorial service for slain student Mlungisi Madonsela the 20-year-old was killed because of the ANC’s refusal to provide free tertiary education.

“We are here and our hearts are bleeding because one of our own is dead, because the ANC and, by extension. one of its deployees decided to murder him,” said province chairperson Vusi Khoza to loud cheers.

The service was held at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) yesterday. The venue was filled with students. Madonsela’s family also attended, as well as DUT senior managers and staff.

“The ANC and government lied, they promised us free education and it’s not free. If there was free education Mlungisi would be alive and at school,” said Khoza, again eliciting loud cheers from the crowd.

Madonsela, an EFF supporter, was shot just outside DUT’s Steve Biko campus last week.

He was allegedly part of a group of about 30 students – armed with bricks and rocks – who tried to storm an administration building to gain access to the institution.

He was allegedly shot during an altercation with a security guard and later died in hospital. EFF students who accompanied Madonsela to the hospital claimed staff refused to treat him because no one could sign for the bill.

DUT staff members were also severely injured during the violence – allegedly by students – and had to be hospitalised.

The incident took place during a call by various student leaders for a “total shutdown” at tertiary education institutions throughout the province. They were protesting the cost and state of student accommodation, late payment of government-funded loans and slow registration processes.

“We are disappointed that on June 16, 1976, Hector Pieterson had to die for the education of a black child; even today Mlungisi had to die for the education of a black child. How long are we going to bury our own?” Khoza asked.

Khoza said that during the apartheid student uprising, the power behind the gun was “a white man and a white government”. Today, he said, izinkabi (hitmen) were being hired to kill students.

“We call upon the police to do their job and ensure those murderers are in prison,” he said. – ANA

Mlungisi had to die for the education of a black child. How long are we going to bury our own?

Vusi Khoza EFF KwaZulu-Natal chairperson