TimesLIVE Premium reports that suspended Walter Sisulu University (WUS) acting residence manager Manelisi Mampane testified in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday about the events that led to him opening fire on protesting students, killing third-year student Sisonke Mbolekwa, 24.

He said: “I’m sorry for the loss of life and injured people on the day, especially to the families of those people, but if I had not fired on that day, my family and I would have died.” Mampane said he believed he was justified in discharging his firearm on 15 April at the Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. Mampane, 54, a teacher by profession, said on that day he was in his bedroom while his wife, Nomanono, was in the kitchen getting their children ready for school. He heard noise outside and his wife told him there were people there to see him. He went to the kitchen and saw “many people, all men, covering their faces”, one carrying a tyre. He said the men shouted: “Here’s this dog, break down the door so we can get inside.” Mampane went on to relate: “Out of shock, I ran to the bedroom, grabbed the gun and returned to the kitchen thinking I could fire a shot upward so they would disperse. When I came back, they were kicking in the door. That’s when I decided to shoot.” Mampane, testifying in his bid to be released on bail, said the firearm had belonged to his late father, and to his knowledge it was licensed. Mampane faces charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to commit a crime and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ziyanda Zweni at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)

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