Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE student, whose body was discovered in a decomposing state at the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) Students Accommodation Complex in Bulawayo, has been identified as Absolom Junior Sakhala aged 24. Sakhala was no longer a student at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) after failing his first-year courses.
His decomposed body was found in his room on Thursday afternoon. Thabani Mpofu, Director of Communications and Marketing at Nust, confirmed that the late former student had enrolled for a degree in Applied Mathematics last year but failed his first year courses and could therefore not continue.
“I wish to confirm the death of a former National University of Science and Technology student who was 24 years old. The student was enrolled with Nust in 2023 to study a BSc degree in Applied Mathematics.
“He completed Part 1, First and Second Semesters but unfortunately failed his courses in his First Semester. According to our academic rules, he was discontinued. When a student has been discontinued, it simply means that he or she is no longer a student of that particular university,” said Mpofu.
He said at the time of his death the deceased was no longer a student of Nust.
“As an institution, we however wish to convey our condolences to the family and friends of the young man who we believe had a bright future because of his age. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mpofu.He said the Student Accommodation complex where the deceased was staying does not belong to Nust.
“Let me take this opportunity to clarify that the late student passed away at a Student Accommodation complex that does not belong to Nust. While that student accommodation complex is near Nust, it does not belong to Nust and we do not have anything to do with the operations of the complex,” said Mpofu.
He said the Student Accommodation complex accommodates students from different higher education institutions in the city of Bulawayo including Nust.
Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said the body was taken to the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) for post-mortem.
“Police are investigating a case of sudden death of a 24-year-old male who was found dead in his room at the Bulawayo Students Accommodation Complex,” said Inspector Ncube.
A student at the complex said the relatives of the deceased came to pick up his belongings. He is expected to be laid to rest in Beitbridge.
“His relatives identified his body at UBH and came to the student accommodation complex to pick up his belongings. He didn’t have a lot of friends, which maybe explains why no one raised the alarm when he went missing. We have no idea which university or college he was attending,” said the student.
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