The Rhodes University Student Counselling Centre is offering support to those affected by the death of a third-year student in a hit and run in the early hours of Saturday 13 June.
The Rhodes University Student Counselling Centre is offering support to those affected by the death of a third-year student in a hit and run in the early hours of Saturday 13 June.
According to Rhodes University spokesperson Catherine Deiner, she was knocked down by a vehicle in the company of two friends, after leaving the library where they had been studying.
“Her family have been notified and counselling has been given to her companions,” Deiner said.
Grahamstown police are searching for the driver of a red Suzuki sedan after the third-year student was hit by a car in New Street.
Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said the incident took place around 3.40am on Saturday 13 June. According to Govender, the young woman died at the scene.
"It is alleged that the 20-year-old victim was in the company of two others when a vehicle travelling at high speed overtook another and ran her over," Govender said in a statement this morning.
"The driver of the red Suzuki sedan stopped and both the driver and passenger fled the scene."
Govender said on Saturday that no arrests had been made.
"We are looking for the driver of the car," she said.
In a statement on the SRC Facebook page, the Rhodes SRC described the incident and said, “To her family, close friends and those that knew her, find peace and comfort in the special memories we shared with her.”
Details about the funeral and transport arrangements would be announced in the course of the week, the SRC said.
In a telephone interview with Grocott’s Mail earlier, SRC president Zikisa Maqubela said the mood among students was sombre.
“It’s really sad,” he said. “This is someone’s child – all that person could have been in her life… what does one say?”
He said some students were critical, saying that given the amount of activity in Grahamstown this weekend (the annual K-Day schools rugby tournament and the opening of the new Gold Rush entertainment venue at Pepper Grove mall), there should have been a stronger police presence.
Deiner said Rhodes University extended its deepest condolences to her parents, family and friends and her colleagues and fellow residents of New House.
“The Rhodes University Counselling Centre is on call to offer support to those affected by this tragedy,” Deiner said.
