‘Honour our hero’ say DUT students
About two years later and outcomes of the report of the commission have not been made public.
FRIENDS of a late Durban University of Technology (DUT) student are calling for the university to rename a student centre building in his honour.
“It is our responsibility that the name of Mlungisi Madonsela not be forgotten. Students across the country and South Africans, in particular the students of DUT, must not forget the name of Mlungisi Madonsela. The student centre that is currently under construction, must be named after Mlungisi Madonsela,” said Sandiso Buthelezi, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command DUT Secretary and Head of Justice4Mlungisi_Madonsela committee.
ALSO READ: DUT student killed in protest action
Buthelezi said most of the buildings at DUT are named after Indian people and is calling for this to be changed.
Madonsela, (21), died two years ago on 5 February during a student protest at the university.
He was shot and killed with a live round by a private security guard that was hired by the university to deal with student unrest.
In social media videos that were circulated at the time of Madonsela’s death, there was a scuffle between students and private security guards near the Open House building (the same one they want to be renamed after Madonsela) with students throwing rocks at the guards.
READ RELATED: Slain DUT student was a loving person, friend tells mourners
During that scuffle, a gunshot went off, students scuttled away with only Madonsela remaining in the middle of the street holding the side of his stomach. Madonsela, who was doing his final year in Public Administration would later die of his injuries at the Durban City Hospital.
The National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute the implicated security guard, citing a lack of evidence. DUT however has since fired the private security company, banned security guards from bringing live immunity to the university and established a formal independent inquiry to look into the death of Madonsela.
READ RELATED: VIDEO: Memorial service for slain DUT student underway
The inquiry, established in 2019, was headed by the former deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s, Judge Khayelihle Mthiyane. About two years later and outcomes of the report of the commission have not been made public.
“The report of the Independent Inquiry (the Mthiyane Report) was served before the DUT Council, who have recommended further investigations. Accordingly, any comment at this stage will be premature and sub judice,” said Alan Khan, DUT’s senior director of Corporate Affairs.
READ RELATED: Case against DUT students struck off the roll
Buthelezi, who was a close friend of Madonsela, said they will continue to call for justice until they are satisfied. “The justice system of this country has failed us and the family of Madonsela. We are still positive because of the fact that the case cannot expire, “icala aliboli”,” he said. “We have made a commitment that we will continue with our fight for justice even after years, until we win. We are going to have a series of marches. We are going to knock at all doors. We are going to mobilize students, civil societies, and everyone to intensify our campaign towards justice. Our is not to rest until justice is served.”
Pastor Musa Khanyile, speaking on behalf of the Madonsela family, said they were still holding out hope that “justice” will be served on those responsible for their son’s death.
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