On Friday (2 June), Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, addressed staff and students of Stellenbosch University (SU) in light of incidents over the past two weeks in which two Maties students, Hannah Cornelius and Mikhail Hendricks, passed away, and a fellow student Cheslin Marsh was assaulted:
Let's stand together in the face of tragedy
The passing of our students Mikhail Hendricks and Hannah Cornelius in the past two weeks has deeply and profoundly touched us as a University community. Our hearts and our thoughts are with their families and friends.
I am relieved to hear that Cheslin Marsh, who was hijacked with Hannah, is making progress, although he still is in a very serious condition. We wish him well and hope that he will make a full recovery. He will be assisted in every way possible to catch up with his studies.
We appreciate the swift way in which the South African Police Service responded to apprehend the suspects. If found guilty, the perpetrators should be met with the fullest extent of the law.
I am thankful towards staff members of Student Affairs, the leadership of Goldfields and Irene residences and members of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) who have supported Mikhail and Hannah’s friends.
Although the hijacking occurred in town, safety and security on campus has come under scrutiny. I want to emphasise that the safety of students and staff remains of primary concern to us. These incidents, like all others, will be used to further refine our security measures and the support we provide to students in collaboration with other role-players.
I again call on everyone to be vigilant and be our active partners in campus safety. It is a sorry state of affairs that the crime levels have forced this burden on us, but it is unfortunately a reality. By working together, we can to a large extent limit the number of incidents on campus as we strive to create a safer Stellenbosch for all its residents.
Lastly, let us remember the students we have lost for the amazing young people they were. Even though they are no longer with us, they remain an inspiration to us all.
[Information updated on Friday 2 June]
Poem for Hannah
Well-known poet, Prof Joan Hambidge, from the University of Cape Town and also a member of the SU Council, penned the the following
poem in rememberance of the late Hannah Cornelius.
March and vigil on campus in remembrance of Hannah Cornelius
Maties students and staff, and other members of the Stellenbosch community today (1 June) marched through the streets of Stellenbosch in the wake of Hannah Cornelius' murder and the assault on fellow student Cheslin Marsh, on Saturday 27 May. Members of women's residence Irene, where Cornelius stayed, handed out black ribbons to those attending the march. The group walked through Victoria and Merriman Streets to reach the Nouveau block of flats in Bird Street, where Cornelius and Marsh were hijacked. There, those attending the march sung Amazing Grace and held a moment of silence.
A night vigil was held on Thursday evening (1 June) at 20:00 in Wimbledon Square, behind Irene residence in remembrance of students who have recently passed away. Students and staff were encouraged to attend and bring along a candle.
On 19 May, the Stellenbosch University community also learnt with sadness of the passing of a final year law student and resident of the Goldfields Residence on the Stellenbosch Campus, Mr Mikhail Hendricks. Mr Hendricks, who is described as a brilliant and compassionate leader, served in various leadership capacities, among others as part of the student leadership of Goldfields. He worked as an intern at the Stellenbosch University Legal Aid Clinic, where he was doing his practical legal education. He was a research assistant for the South African Research Chair in Property Law (SARCPL) and a tutor in the Law Faculty in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law.
[Information updated on Friday 2 June]
Campus community shocked by hijacking, death of a student
"Our campus community is appalled and shocked by this senseless act and our hearts go out to the family and friends of the student who has lost her life and to the injured student. We are very relieved to hear that the SAPS has arrested suspects in connection with the hijacking. The perpetrators should be met with the full extent of the law."
This was the message of Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU), on learning of the kidnapping of two Matie students over the weekend. Ms Hannah Cornelius, a BA Humanities student, was found dead on Saturday (27 May), while a male student was admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
Prof De Villiers expressed his deepest condolences with those involved and said: "Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrific crime. We wish the injured student well and we will do everything in our power to assist – also in aiding the SAPS with their investigation."
Staff of the Division of Student Affairs were in contact with the parents on Saturday night and started to provide support to Ms Cornelius' friends. Trauma
counsellors have presented debriefing sessions at Ms Cornelius' residence and are on standby to provide support. The University's Crisis
Service number is 082 557 0880 and students are encouraged to make use of the
services provided.
The Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that cases of murder, attempted murder and hijacking are under investigation. According to a SAPS statement the female student was found on Saturday morning at about 08:30 on the Knorhoek Road with injuries. A blue VW Citi Golf that they were driving was hijacked by three suspects. The SAPS requested that anyone who can provide further information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
A memorial service for Cornelius will be held on Friday 2 June at 11:00, at the Dutch Reformed Church in Fish Hoek.
- Read the Student Representative Council's statement here.
[Information updated on Tuesday 30 May 2017]
