The Tshwane University of Technology has extended condolences to the family of  Benjamin Phehla after he was killed after being hit by a car during a student protest yesterday.

Phehla was a final-year information and communication technology student at TUT’s Soshanguve south campus.

TUT spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter, told the Mail and Guardian that police were investigating a case of culpable homicide after the driver of the vehicle allegedly lost control and ploughed into a group of students.

“It’s unclear whether he was part of the group that were protesting.
The police investigation will reveal exactly what happened. We can’t say that it was a hit-and-run.”

Phehla was the chairman of the student-faculty council at the ICT faculty.

“He was very popular and we are saddened and shocked by his death.”

She said that the university’s student counselling services have been in contact with Phehla’s family to provide assistance and support.

“We made support and counselling services available to staff members and students who are affected by this tragic incident.”

She said the academic programme will continue and that the academic year was extended to 15 December so that enough time was allocated to complete lectures and write exams.

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