Walter Sisulu University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sinethemba Mpambane was shot multiple times while in his vehicle at the university’s Nkululekweni facility in Mthatha. (Photo: Walter Sisulu University) 
On Thursday, 19 June 2025, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Institutional Support and Development at Walter Sisulu University, Sinethemba Mpanbane, was shot multiple times while seated in his vehicle at the entrance of the university’s Nkululekweni facility in Mthatha, where he also lived.
Mpambane was hired in December last year to be part of the institutional support and development team.
University council chairperson, advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC, told Daily Maverick that private security would be provided to all senior staff members, especially those holding strategic positions in finance, procurement and infrastructure development.
“This comes at a cost, but we took an emergency decision to do this for now. We will reassess the situation in a month. We have also appealed, once again, to the police for extra security measures. We cannot divert all our limited resources to security; hence, we must insist that the state play its role in providing safety and security inside and outside of campus,” said Ngcukaitobi.
Police said they discovered the victim dead inside a stationary vehicle. Preliminary forensic analysis confirmed the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds while in the driver’s seat. R27,000 was discovered in Mpanbane’s vehicle. SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said, “The man was shot; we found the cash, cellphone, and [a] laptop.”
The SAPS said the motive behind the murder was still unknown, but ruled out robbery as a motive. A special unit has been established to conduct the investigation.
Making a distinction between previous violence that erupted in the context of a student protest and a systematic assassination of a staff member, Ngcukaitobi said:
“The killing of a student, Sisonke Mbolekwa, in April 2025 happened on campus and was [perpetrated] by a staff member who appears to have had access to a gun… The recent killing of Mr Mpambane happened at his house in Nkululekweni and appears to have been a hit or assassination.”.
Read more: Mthatha campus erupts as students rally against bail for accused in deadly protest shooting
Ngcukaitobi said staff members had reported issues of intimidation from external forces, but nothing had been done.
“Management has reported instances of intimidation before, which are similar to what we heard had happened at Fort Hare. Basically, external forces show up on campus and demand a piece of some construction project.
“They demand to know who the decision-makers are. And they threaten them with violence if they don’t get what they want. We then provide some private security, but mainly management reports the matter to the police because the identities of the intimidators are known. Nothing happens at all,” Ngcukaitobi said.
Minister ‘alarmed’
Higher Education and Training spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said Minister Nobuhle Nkabane was deeply concerned about increasing incidents of violence on and around post-school education and training (PSET) campuses.
“The minister is alarmed by the emerging trend of weaponising and militarising student spaces, which should remain sites of learning, growth and transformation. Institutions must never become battlegrounds. In response to these challenges, the minister will actively engage with counterparts in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster, including the South African Police Service, to develop a more coordinated and sustainable campus safety strategy,” said Mavovana.
Nkabane has expressed her condolences to the family of Mpambane and the broader Walter Sisulu University community. She has called on all social partners, including student leaders, management and communities to ensure our campuses remain peaceful and safe.
The university described the incident as a heinous act. Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Nolundi Songca, said, “Mr Mpambane was an exceptional leader and hard worker within our university. His untimely passing leaves a void that will be deeply felt. We stand together in this dark moment as we mourn this tragic loss.”
Read more: University of Fort Hare VC’s roller-coaster ride for justice in face of murder and criminal syndicates.
The parliamentary committee on higher education has also urged the university leadership to strengthen campus security and prioritise the safety of both students and staff.
“We urge the university council and the South African Police Services to ensure the safety of both staff and students.
“We are devastated to learn that an official of the university has been brutally murdered in such a callous and inhumane manner. We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and urge law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in apprehending those responsible,” said chairperson of the committee Tebogo Letsie. DM