Premier saddened by UJ stampede death

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has called on the management of the University of Johannesburg to work closely with the Johannesburg Metro Police and other authorities in order to ensure that the stampede which occurred earlier today is not repeated.

A parent was killed and at least 10 others injured on Tuesday morning when a stampede occurred outside the University of Johannesburg's Auckland Park campus.

Thousands of last minute applicants camped outside the gates of the institution from the early hours of the morning in the hopes of getting accepted for enrolment in 2012.

However, when gates opened at around 7.30am, students tried to force their way inside, leading to a stampede.

"What saddens us is the fact that a family has lost a parent whose sole interest was to see the future of her child secured. Our hearts and prayers are with the family during this dark hour," Premier Mokonyane said, according to the Gauteng Provincial Government.

According to media reports, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande is considering halting last minute university applications in a bid to curb long queues. This is often matrics who wait for the release of their matric results before applying for enrolment.

He has reiterated the call for those who do not get accepted into a university to consider Further Education and Training colleges.