DUT Durban University student killed man arrested

One of the Durban University of Technology’s campuses. Photo: dut.ac.za

Student arrested for murder of 19-year-old Durban University peer

A 21-year-old man who attended the Durban University of Technology (DUT) was tracked down after a student was stabbed to death in January.

DUT Durban University student killed man arrested

One of the Durban University of Technology’s campuses. Photo: dut.ac.za

A man has been arrested in connection to the murder of a 19-year-old student from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), who was stabbed to death at his residence in January.

Police said that they apprehended the 21-year-old man, who is also a student at DUT, at his hiding place in the Isipingo area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Wednesday 10 March. 

Durban student killed during altercation with fellow student

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said in a statement that the man had fled from the DUT campus after the incident took place on 7 January 2021, and has been on the run ever since. 

“A 21-year-old suspect is expected to appear before the Durban Magistrates Court tomorrow for the murder of a Durban University of Technology student,” she said. 

On the afternoon of 7 January, Sifundo Mhlongo was fatally stabbed at his student residence on Yusuf Dadoo Street in Durban, sustaining a stab wound to the neck and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics. It was alleged at the time that the incident had occurred as a result of an argument that escalated between students. 

“His assailant who was also a student at the same campus fled the scene after the incident and was on the run since then. A case of murder was opened at Durban Central SAPS for investigation,” said Gwala. 

SAPS make arrest

Gwala said that the investigating officer assigned to the grim case finally made a breakthrough in the search for the suspected killer after they followed up information received about the suspect, who had been on the run for nearly two months. 

“The suspect was arrested in the Isipingo area where he was hiding,” she said. 

Acting Provincial Commissioner for KZN, Major General Thulani Gonya, praised the investigating officer for his perseverance in solving the case, Gwala added.