A dark cloud hangs over North-West University and the broader South African community following the brutal murder of 21-year-old Onalenna Selebogo, a third-year Education student at NWU’s Mahikeng Campus.
On August 3, Selebogo was found stabbed to death in a central Rustenburg flat — her lifeless body wrapped in bed sheets, bearing multiple wounds to the neck. The horrific nature of the crime has sent shockwaves across the nation, reigniting urgent conversations around student safety and gender-based violence.
The suspected killer, Walter Tshehlo, fled the scene but later surrendered to police. He now faces a murder charge and is set to appear in court for a bail hearing on August 18, 2025.
As grief grips the university community, messages of heartbreak and outrage flood social media, calling for justice and systemic reform. Many are demanding stronger protective measures for students, especially young women, who remain disproportionately vulnerable to violent crime.
Selebogo’s death is more than a statistic — it’s a chilling reminder of the violence too many face behind closed doors. As her loved ones prepare to lay her to rest, a country looks on, demanding not only justice for Onalenna, but change.
