Students, University of Pretoria, UP, institution, Hatfield, Thapelo Menwe, Gauteng, Police, Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, security concerns

Following the murder of 23-year-old Thapelo Menwe, students at UP have called for an increase in security. Photo: @UPTuks / Twitter

UP students want security increase after murder near Tuksdorp res

Excerpt – Students at the University of Pretoria are calling for an increase security after a 23-year-old was gunned down during a robbery.

Students, University of Pretoria, UP, institution, Hatfield, Thapelo Menwe, Gauteng, Police, Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, security concerns

Following the murder of 23-year-old Thapelo Menwe, students at UP have called for an increase in security. Photo: @UPTuks / Twitter

Students from the University of Pretoria (UP) are urging the institution to increase security following the murder of Thapelo Menwe.

Students want the institution to do more in terms of security

The 23-year-old was gunned down during a robbery in Hatfield while walking alone to his residence. Students are angered by Menwe’s untimely death and have made calls for more patrols around student residences and the campus.

Students are concerned about their safety, especially near the university. The students have, however, acknowledged the safety measures put in place by UP. They are still calling for more to be done as there has been an increase in muggings in the area.

SAPS have revealed that two men, linked to the incident, were arrested and have appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. They faced charges of murder, armed robbery and the possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

According to SABC News, police stated that the two men were in possession of Menwe’s cell phone at the time of their arrests. Menwe was honoured by fellow students under the tree where he took his last breath.

The 23-year-old was laid to rest at Zeerust in the North West.

UP’s response to security concerns

UP says that security is prioritised and officials have also cautioned students to not walk around unaccompanied.

Security has been tightened and we have employed the services of private security as well to ensure that students are safe in and off campus”, says UP official Primarashni Gower.

Background: [WATCH] Student gunned down ‘over a cellphone’ in Hatfield

Previously, it was reported that the University of Pretoria has confirmed the death of a student who was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday morning in Hatfield, close to the Tuksdorp residence.

According to comments on a CCTV footage that has since gone viral on social media, the student was gunned down over a cellphone. 

Rikus Delport from the University of Pretoria told The South African that according to CCTV footage, the student, who was not staying at a UP residence, was walking down Grosvenor Street when he was approached by a man, who shot him after a brief altercation. Read the full story here.