Thousands of University of Venda (Univen) students gathered at the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Monday, 1 September, to show solidarity with the family of a fellow student who was brutally killed.
The protest coincided with the first court appearance of 20-year-old student Sifundo Masindi, who is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Ms Vhulondo Nevhukalanga (20), from Tshitomboni Tsha Mbubana.
In court, Masindi appeared calm, his head still wrapped in bandages from a fall from the window of his room. His rights were read to him before the case was postponed to 26 November.
Outside, thousands of students who were denied entry to the courtroom filled the streets, singing freedom songs in memory of their slain peer.
Masindi, a second-year bachelor of environmental sciences student, is alleged to have stabbed Nevhukalanga, a first-year bachelor of arts language practice student, to death.
The circumstances that led to the fatal stabbing remain unclear, though neighbours reported hearing screams from Masindi's room shortly before the attack. The incident occurred on Friday, 29 August, at around 17:00 at one of the accredited student residences in Marude.
After the stabbing, Masindi allegedly jumped from a third-floor window. He was injured in the process and had to be taken to hospital.
Following the postponement of the case, the students outside the court were addressed by campus organisations and given updates on the case.
Ms Khanyisile Mkhabela, of the Stop the Spot organisation that campaigns against gender violence, said they had come to court to demand justice. "We came together as different organisations on campus. What we would like to see is a speedy and transparent prosecution. We are here to say no to bail for the suspect. How would the parents of the deceased and the community feel if they saw him outside?" she said.
The killing has been widely condemned by students, community members and the university.
Univen spokesperson Dr Takalani Dzaga said the university had informed the family of the deceased and expressed its condolences. "This is very sad, more specifically that it happened during Women's Month. It is sad that despite the campaigns we run at this institution, things are not getting better. The incident has left us in shock. Our principal has already sent his condolences to the family," he said.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that a murder docket had been opened and that a suspect was under arrest. "The victim was found lying in a pool of blood, with multiple wounds on her upper body. Preliminary police report revealed that the alleged suspect was with the girlfriend when a fight ensued," he said.
Ledwaba added that Nevhukalanga had succumbed to her injuries. "The suspect tried to evade arrest by jumping through the window from the third floor, and he sustained some injuries. He was taken to the local hospital under police guard."