Update
GEORGE NEWS - The young man accused of the murder of a 20-year-old female student from Nelson Mandela University (NMU), made his first appearance in the George Magistrate's Court this morning, Thursday 8 June.
He opted to apply for bail and the case was postponed to 5 July for a formal bail application.
The state indicated that it will oppose the application as the suspect, Luyanda Mahlanza (22), is charged with a schedule six offence.
Mahlanza, who is also a student at NMU, faces a charge of murder after he allegedly stabbed the victim to death at her residence on campus on Tuesday 6 June.
The victim sustained multiple stab wounds to her upper body. It is believed that the victim and the suspect were involved in a romantic relationship.
According to police spokesperson Sgt. Chris Spies preliminary reports available indicate that police were dispatched to the campus following reports of a violent incident.
"On arrival the members found the victim inside an ambulance with multiple stab wounds to the body. She was declared dead by paramedics on scene. It is believed that the victim was attacked inside her bedroom on the campus,” said Spies.
Mahlanza was arrested on the scene and had to be escorted by police after violence erupted.
Bullet proof shields were used as police escorted the suspect from his flat to the police vehicle as fellow students allegedly became violent, threatening the suspect's life with sticks and bricks in hand. Police had to use stun grenades to disperse the rowdy students.
Eyewitness
In a post circulating on social media, a fellow student and eyewitness talks about how she came across the horrendous scene after she heard strange noises coming from the victim's room.
She went to investigate, but found the door to the victim's room locked and the master key had to be used to open it. When the door opened, the witness allegedly saw the suspect stabbing the victim.
Only the victim and the suspect were in the room at that stage.
The eyewitness apparently attempted to stop the bleeding from a wound in the young woman's neck, when she saw more wounds all over her upper body.
The victim was later declared dead by paramedics on scene.
Although police and the university have not officially released the victim's name, friends and fellow students have identified her online.
Out of respect for her family, George Herald is also withholding her name until her parents have identified her body.
ALSO READ: Student killed on NMU campus
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