Students and UCT mourn murdered KZN man

A YOUNG man with great potential. This is how friends and fellow students described slain 19-year-old University of Cape Town (UCT) student Cebo Mhleli Mbatha.

Mbatha, fondly known as Cheesy, a first-year humanities student from KwaZulu-Natal, was stabbed in the chest and died on Saturday during an apparent robbery on Clifton 3rd Beach.

A friend of his was stabbed in the leg during the incident, while two other companions escaped unharmed.

Police spokesperson Mihlali Majikela said no arrests had been made.

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the department of student affairs, through its Student Wellness Service, had provided counselling for the three surviving students who experienced severe trauma.

“UCT is devastated to confirm that four of our students suffered a tragic incident. We are offering the family our support. We are also in contact with the other students’ families,” said Moholola.

“UCT is highly distraught that our students, and citizens in general, continue to be affected by violent crime which remains a scourge that needs to be confronted and eliminated from our society.

“The university will continue engaging with the relevant provincial and national authorities to continue the fight against violent crime.

“We need to reclaim our public spaces as safe spaces where our students can go about their daily activities and walk freely without being subjected to violent crime.”

Former pupils of Dundee High School, which Mbatha attended, said he was a positive and focused person who saw the good in others.