Varsities offer counselling to students, staff following Braam shooting

Institutions of higher learning in and around Braamfontein, in Johannesburg, are offering counselling and support to students following the fatal shooting in the area on Thursday.

Three people, including a University of Johannesburg (UJ) student, were shot dead when unknown gunmen opened fire on the occupants of a BMW vehicle that was parked opposite the Wits Art Museum.

The incident took place in full view of the public, including students.

UJ has confirmed that the 18 year-old was a student at the institution, while another UJ student, who was also caught in the crossfire, is in hospital.

The two were among the students who were travelling in a bus from the university to their places of residence when tragedy struck.

Police have launched a man hunt for the suspects and cases of murder and attempted murder have been opened.

The tragic incident has now sparked fear among students who never know when they will fall prey to crime.

Support and Counselling Available | Dear Witsies, following the terrible incident, please reach out for confidential help and debriefing. Contact CCDU or the Wits Student Crisis Line for assistance. Details below: pic.twitter.com/SqRBZcRvld

— Wits University (@WitsUniversity) February 29, 2024

Dear UJ students.

UJ saddened by the death of its student in a shooting incident

It is with profound sadness that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has learnt of the death of its student, who was caught in crossfire during a shooting incident in Braamfontein this afternoon…

— University of Johannesburg (@go2uj) February 29, 2024

While the busy Jorrissen Street is usually paraded by Public Order Policing officers and Metro Police, students still fall victim to crimes such as pickpocketing and cellphone theft, among others.

Speaker of Council in Johannesburg, Margaret Arnolds, says the shooting reflects the ethical and moral erosion of society, where people can dare to engage in a shooting spree in broad daylight.

The speaker has also commended the institutions for offering counselling to the students and staff who may have been affected in the senseless act.

She says such behaviour has no place in society.

Gareth Newman from the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) says the murder rate is getting out of hand in the country.

According to the SAPS third quarter crime statistics for 2023/2024, the number of people murdered in the country increased by 2.1%.

 

The incident comes a few weeks after Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, announced the installation of Vumacams around the province in a bid to tackle crime.

More than 3 000 Crime Prevention Wardens, known as Amapanyaza, have also been roped in as part of the efforts to clean-up South Africa’s economic hub.