Wits students pass away in accident

2 May 2016 - Wits University

Students were returning from prayer meeting in Limpopo.

It is with great sadness that the University learnt this morning that seven students passed away in a road accident that took place last night. Six other students are injured and in hospital.

This is according to another Wits student who was travelling in a car behind the minibus taxi when the accident occurred. It appears that the students were travelling back from a prayer meeting in Limpopo.

Details are still sketchy and the University has dispatched a team to gather further information on the ground and to support the family and friends of those that have passed away. The Dean of Students and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib are also en route to Limpopo.

The University extends its deepest sympathies to the friends and family of those who passed away during this difficult period.

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Wits community mourns seven students who died in accident.

3 May 2016 - Wits University

The University flag has been lowered and is flying at half-mast in honour of the memory of students who passed away.

Several Wits delegations including members of the Wits Students' Representative Council, the Dean of Student Affairs Dr Puleng LenkaBula and the Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib travelled to Limpopo yesterday where they met with the families and friends of some of our students who passed away in an accident on Sunday night. 

The delegation worked with police to identify the seven students who had passed away so that the police could inform their next of kin. The students hail from several faculties and are in different years of study. They are also from different provinces. Many students belong to the Wits ZCC student society.

The delegation met with the MEC for Health in Limpopo and visited the six survivors at various hospitals in Mokopane. Wits is working with the provincial department of health to arrange for the transfer of some of the students to Gauteng-based hospitals if the necessary treatment is not available in Mokopane.  

Investigations are still underway but preliminary reports indicate that the minibus carrying the students crashed into the back of a stationary trailer that was on the road, causing the minibus to burst into flames. The students were travelling back from a prayer meeting in Limpopo,

The University flag has been lowered and is flying at half-mast in honour of the memory of our students who passed away. A memorial service will be arranged after consultation with the families. 

We understand that many students and staff may be traumatised by this news and we urge you to contact CCDU if you require any assistance at all. CCDU has counsellors on hand to assist anyone during this difficult period. If you cannot physically go to the CCDU offices, please call (011) 7179140/32 and they will call you back. 

Condolences are being received from across the country as well as from staff, students, unions and others in the Wits community.

The untimely loss of our students is an absolute tragedy and our deepest condolences are extended to those who knew them well, especially during this very difficult time.

Further details will follow later today.

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Update on students involved in an accident

3 May 2016 - Wits University

Wits delegation remains in Mokopane where they are receiving families of the seven deceased students.

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE

Dear Colleagues/Students

A delegation from Wits University remains in Mokopane where they are receiving families of the seven deceased students, together with representatives from the provincial department of health and the police. They have already met with the families of five of the deceased, and will meet with the remaining two families when they arrive today or tomorrow. Social workers and counselling services were also made available by the province to assist the family members.      

Four of the six surviving students were transported to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg this afternoon while two others are being treated in Mokopane for minor injuries, after which they will be released. 

We encourage students and staff that may be traumatised to contact CCDU if you require any assistance. CCDU has counsellors on hand to assist anyone during this difficult period. If you cannot physically go to the CCDU offices, please call (011) 7179140/32 and they will call you back. 

Let us continue to support each other during this difficult time.  

Statements issued by Wits University, 2 & 3 May 2016