Minister Nkabane Visits Injured Students at Nelson Mandela Hospital Following Campus Violence

Higher Education Minister condemns “militarization” of campuses and pledges urgent action for student safety.

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, paid a compassionate visit to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha on Wednesday, following a tragic incident that left several students injured at a local campus.

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The visit comes a day after the latest incident of violence, with students from the Walter Sisulu University campus brought to the hospital for medical treatment. Minister Nkabane also extended her visit to a student still recovering from injuries sustained during a separate confrontation on the same campus on 13 March 2025.

During her hospital tour, Minister Nkabane strongly condemned the ongoing violence and what she described as the “militarization of institutions of higher learning.” She assured families and students that her department is working urgently with relevant stakeholders to implement measures aimed at ensuring these violent disruptions do not occur again.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a safe and secure environment for all students, adding that the department will intensify engagements with universities, student formations, and law enforcement to address the root causes of unrest.

The details surrounding both incidents remain under investigation, but the Minister’s visit has been widely welcomed as a step toward transparency and accountability.