Four Walter Sisulu University (WSU) students were arrested following violent protests triggered by the bail release of Manelisi Mampane , the accused in the murder of fellow student Sisonke Mbolekwa earlier this year . The protests, which turned confrontational near the university’s Mthatha campus, saw demonstrators clashing with police, hurling stones, and setting debris ablaze to demand justice for Mbolekwa, whose death has gripped the Eastern Cape academic community .
The incident unfolded on Tuesday, June 4, 2025 , after Mampane was granted bail by a local magistrate’s court, a decision that outraged students and faculty alike. Protesters accused the judiciary of leniency, with one stating, “How do we feel safe knowing the man who killed our friend walks free?”. Police intervened to disperse the crowd, leading to the arrests of four students on charges of public violence and obstruction of justice.
Mbolekwa’s killing, which occurred in February 2025, sparked widespread grief and calls for stricter campus security measures. Friends described him as a “brilliant law student” whose death left a void in the university community . Mampane, a former classmate, remains at the center of a high-profile murder case that has drawn national attention, with prosecutors alleging a premeditated attack linked to personal disputes.
The university condemned the unrest, urging students to “respect legal processes and avoid vigilantism” in a statement . However, critics argue that systemic failures in the justice system have fueled frustration. A Pretoria-based criminologist noted, “When bail is granted in cases of this severity, it risks eroding trust in the courts—especially among young people who already feel unprotected”.
Public reaction has been sharply divided. While some support the students’ demand for accountability, others warn that violence only deepens instability in a sector already strained by frequent campus disruptions. Social media users debated the role of universities in safeguarding students, with one commenter writing, “This isn’t just about bail—it’s about why students don’t feel safe in lecture halls” .
The case underscores broader challenges in South Africa’s higher education system, where protests over governance, fees, and safety concerns have become increasingly common. With Mbolekwa’s family and classmates calling for justice, the incident tests the university’s ability to balance legal transparency with student welfare amid a climate of distrust in judicial outcomes.
As legal proceedings against Mampane continue, the arrests highlight the volatile intersection of campus activism, legal accountability, and the emotional toll of unresolved violence on South African campuses.
