• A 23-year-old female Mangosuthu University of Technology student was killed allegedly by a male student at the Ark Royal residence in Durban at the weekend. 
• Police say she was stabbed to death.
• KZN Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza says her office receives reports on women abuse on a daily basis.

The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) is mourning the death of an electrical engineering student who was allegedly killed by a known person at the weekend.

Xolile Mbatha, 23, was stabbed multiple times allegedly by a known suspect following a domestic dispute at the Ark Royal residence.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said Point police were called to a residence in Mahatma Gandhi Road at about 07:30 on Sunday.

“She [the student] was declared dead on the scene. A case of murder was opened at Point SAPS and the matter is under investigation,” Gwala said.

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The suspect reportedly fled the scene after the attack.

In a statement, MUT acting vice-chancellor Marcus Ramogale said the university wished to send its heartfelt condolences to the Mbatha family in this difficult time.

Ramogale added it was difficult, particularly at the beginning of Women’s Month, to have to communicate “the senseless and brutal murder of Mbatha”.

“I am at a loss for words to describe this dreadful act performed by a fellow male student at the Ark Royal residence, one of MUT’s externally leased residences.

“The murder is a subject of a police investigation. It is believed that the male student fled the scene and is still on the run.

“While MUT is trying to come to terms with and get details of what transpired on [Sunday] morning, we appeal to staff, students and the public to cooperate with the police and to come forward if they have any information that could help in the investigation.”

He said the university would be boosting its campaign against gender-based violence (GBV).

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“We, therefore, ask all MUT men – staff and students – to rise up and say not in my name. This is no longer a time to keep quiet but for every man to rise and speak against GBV. We appeal to all men to treat women with dignity and honour.

“The university wishes to send its heartfelt condolences to the Mbatha family in this difficult time. At the same time, we wish to reassure everyone that we have heightened safety and security at all residences.

“Be that as it may, we still appeal to everyone to be vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour that exhibits signs of GBV,” Ramogale added.