TUT student dies after motorist’s hit and run
A TUT student leader has died after a motorist crashed into him and a group of protesters yesterday (Thursday 20 October 2016) afternoon in Pretoria.
According to News24, the group of students had been marching from campus to campus in Soshanguve before moving to the streets where they disrupted traffic. It was then that a motorist lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a number of protesters and drove off.
Several student protesters were injured and taken to hospital where Lesego Benjamin Phehla died.
The Tshwane University of Technology posted to social media saying, “Yesterday afternoon unrest was regrettably experienced at the Shoshanguve Campus when a group of protesters demanded to be transported to the #FeesMustFall march to the Union Buildings. When this was denied, clashes with security guards ensued and the SAPS had no option but to intervene to disperse the protestors.”
Also read: What to do if you find yourself in a civil unrest situation
“The protesters allegedly also disrupted traffic on the public road running between the north and south campuses in Shoshanguve and three students were injured when a driver lost control of his car. It is with deep sadness that the university has to announce that a student who was injured in this incident passed away last night.”
A case of culpable homicide has been opened by police.
“There’s no indication that this was in any way linked to police action,” says police spokesperson, Sally De Beer.
It was reported that the university has arranged counselling services for the affected students and staff.
Source: News24