A 22-year-old female student from the University of Limpopo has been found dead near the university’s perimeter fence, prompting police to open an inquest as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The student’s body was discovered at approximately 6am on Sunday along Sovenga Street, close to the university campus. According to police, she was found partially clothed, with her head positioned inside a trench located next to the perimeter fence.
During the preliminary examination of the scene, authorities reported that there were no visible external injuries on the woman’s body. A bag found next to her reportedly contained her identity document and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) card, which may assist investigators in confirming her identity.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and subsequently declared the woman dead.
Police have indicated that preliminary information suggests the student may have accidentally fallen into the trench. However, authorities have stressed that the circumstances surrounding her death have not yet been conclusively established.
An inquest has therefore been opened while investigators work to determine exactly what happened. The woman’s identity has not been publicly released, as her family had not yet been formally notified at the time of reporting.
The incident has raised concern on the University of Limpopo campus, particularly as it comes only weeks after another woman connected to the institution died following an alleged attack.
On 12 September, 37-year-old university security guard Christina Nyalungu was allegedly attacked with a hammer while she was on duty. She later died in hospital as a result of the injuries she sustained.
Nyalungu’s 44-year-old boyfriend, Thomas Samuel Maahlo, was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. He later abandoned his bail application and remains in custody while the legal process continues.
Despite the proximity in time between the two incidents, there is currently no indication from police that the death of the 22-year-old student is connected to Nyalungu’s death.
The University of Limpopo has appealed to members of the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while authorities conduct their investigation.
The institution and the wider university community are now awaiting further information from law enforcement as investigators work to establish the circumstances that led to the student’s death.
Authorities are expected to provide additional details as the investigation progresses and as the family is formally notified.
For now, the cause and circumstances of the student’s death remain under investigation, with the inquest expected to assist authorities in establishing what happened before she was discovered near the campus fence.
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