A University of Free State (UFS) student who had been missing since last week has been found dead, Free State police said on Friday.
“The body was found early in the morning in the Elands River on Thursday,” Sergeant Mmako Mophiring said.
“Bystanders happened to see the body as they passed by.”
The student’s head appeared to have been struck by a blunt object, with police having opened a murder docket.
“At this moment we don’t have any arrest. We’re continuing the murder investigation,” said Mophiring.
Mophiring said it was believed Sinethemba Shezi, 22, and a friend were attacked by eight people carrying iron rods while walking to the university’s QwaQwa campus.
Shezi and the friend ran in opposite directions, which was the last time Shezi was seen alive.
On Tuesday, UFS said in a statement that Shezi, a third-year Bachelor of Education student, was accosted around 8.30pm on Friday evening.
“The students wanted to study at the campus facilities, as they stay off-campus,” UFS said.
“The matter was immediately reported to the university’s campus protection services, who alerted the South African Police Service (SAPS).”
A search party, made up of police, UFS protection services and the UFS SRC, searched the area for Shezi through the night.
On Wednesday a search party made up of police, municipal officials, university staff, the police K9 unit, provincial emergency services, and the UFS SRC swept the area in search of Shezi.
Source : Sapa /aw/jje
