Mthatha, Eastern Cape — Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has confirmed that Sisonke Mbolekwa, the young man fatally shot during recent protests at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), was indeed a registered student — contradicting earlier claims made by the institution.
The confirmation comes in the wake of public outrage and confusion following statements from WSU that Mbolekwa was not enrolled at the time of his death. However, during a press briefing on Wednesday, Dr Nkabane revealed that NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) records tell a different story.
“According to our NSFAS records, the last payment of funds to the student and the university was made at the end of last year,” said Nkabane. “So I can affirm today that, indeed, he was a student.”
The revelation raises fresh questions about the university’s response and the handling of the protest, which erupted over student grievances including funding, accommodation, and academic exclusion.
The incident has ignited widespread calls for accountability and transparency, with student organizations and human rights groups demanding a full investigation into the shooting and the use of force on campus.
Meanwhile, tributes continue to pour in for Mbolekwa, with many remembering him as a dedicated student and activist who believed in justice for fellow learners.
