Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - A 19-year-old first-year Bachelor of Arts in Language Practice student at the University of Vender (UNIVEN) South Africa, Vhulondo Nevhukalanga, was st@bbed to d3ath by her boyfriend.
Vhulondo, who hailed from Tshitomboni (Makovha) village
outside Thohoyandou, was stabbed multiple times by the 20-year-old suspect who
is said to be an Environmental Sciences student at the same university.
The university confirmed that the incident occurred inside
the perpetrator's room at accredited off-campus student residences in Ngovhela
on Friday, around 4 pm.
University spokesperson, Dr Takalani Dzaga, said according
to preliminary reports, the two entered the residence in seemingly high spirits
before chaos erupted moments later.
"Shortly thereafter, loud noises and signs of distress
were heard from the room,” Dr Dzaga said.
He said security personnel responded swiftly, forcibly
entering the locked room where they discovered the female student fatally
wounded.
Dzaga said in a twisted turn of events, the perpetrator
attempted to take his own life by jumping through a second-floor window,
sustaining injuries in the process.
Limpopo police confirmed that he is currently receiving
medical treatment at a local hospital under police guard.
“Two knives were found at the scene,” Dzaga added.
He said representatives from the university management have
visited the family of the deceased to extend condolences and offer support
during this harrowing time.
Speaking to IOL News, family spokesperson and brother of the
deceased, Rendani Charity Mbedzi, said the family was unaware that Nevhukalanga
was allegedly in a relationship.
“As a family, we don’t even remember her ever telling us
about dating or being in a relationship,” he said.
“She knew very well that we had sent her to university to
study - and it was only her first year.”
Mbedzi said the family was in shock following her brutal
d3ath.
“We didn’t even know she was dating. We are deeply shocked
by the way she was k!lled,” he said.
He added that the family was struggling to come to terms
with her d3ath.
“When we first heard about the incident, we couldn’t believe
it. You hear about these things happening, but you never think it could happen
to someone close to you.”
“We didn’t believe something like this could happen to her.
It’s very difficult for us as a family to accept what has happened.”
He said their mother was particularly devastated.
“My mom is really struggling to accept it. She can’t even
talk about it yet. We are praying she finds strength, even though it’s hard for
all of us.”
Mbedzi said the family had high hopes for Nevhukalanga, who
had only just started her academic journey.
“We are a family of four. I’m the first-born, she was the
third. Even my younger sister went to college, but honestly, we expected a lot
from her. We tried our best - we sent her to school, supported her, gave her
extra classes so she could have a better future.
Limpopo Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba on
Saturday confirmed said the suspect had been charged with the m8rder.
Ledwaba said the suspect attempted to evade arrest, jumping
through the window from the third floor, and he sustained some injuries .
“The suspect is now at the medical facility receiving
treatment under police guard,” Ledwaba said.
He said the suspect is expected to appear before Thohoyandou
Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 1, 2025
The family clarified that the deceased was 19 years old and
was born on November 5, 2006. The police reports said she was 20.
Mbedzi described Nevhukalanga as a respectful and
well-mannered young woman.
“My sister was the kind of person who was full of respect.
We still can’t believe this happened to her, we never saw any troubling
behaviour from her,” he said.
“Her life was cut short. We were still expecting so much
from her."
He added that the family is calling for justice.
“What we want, as a family, is for justice to take its
course. We do not want to interfere with the case - we just want justice to be
served for Vhulondo. We believe justice will prevail.”
Meanwhile, educational activist Hendrick Makaneta condemned
the incident, saying that the tragic loss of Nevhukalanga was deeply
distressing and devastating.
“This senseless act of violence is not only a blow to her
family, friends, and the university community, but it also speaks to a broader
issue that requires immediate attention," he said
Makaneta called on the university and other institutions of
higher learning across the country to take immediate and comprehensive steps to
address the mental, emotional, and psychological well-being of students.
“This incident underscores the growing need for universities
to be proactive in ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary
support systems to navigate the pressures of academic life and personal
challenges,” he said.
“We cannot ignore the fact that incidents like this are
often preceded by unresolved emotional struggles, unhealthy relationships, and
unaddressed mental health issues.”
In a statement on Sunday, Professor Bernard Nthambeleni,
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UNIVEN said he had approved the request from
the Student Representative Council (SRC) to suspend all academic activities on
Monday, September 1, 2025.
“This decision has been taken to allow students to attend
the court proceedings of the suspect, Mr. Sifundo Masindi, who is accused of
the tragic st@bbing and d3ath of Ms. Vhulondo Nevhukalanga, a fellow student.
Mr. Masindi is scheduled to appear in court on the same day.”
Nthambeleni said this was a once-off approval and must not
be misconstrued as a blanket approval for suspension of academic activities for
any future or successive court appearances.
“All staff and students are urged to remain respectful and
uphold the values of dignity, peace, and lawful conduct during this time,” he
said.
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