Student in critical condition after shooting

A Walter Sisulu University student is in critical condition in hospital after he was shot and seriously wounded in privately owned student accommodation in Southernwood, East London, during a robbery on Wednesday evening.

Two suspects entered the male residence by climbing over the back fence.

They then allegedly held two students at knife and gunpoint before robbing them of laptops, cellphones and cash, police said.

The first student was tied up and had a T-shirt stuffed into his mouth while the other student was being robbed.

One of them called for help and other students emerged from their rooms.

There was a commotion and the intruders allegedly fired two shots, hitting one of the students who had come to help.

Another student, who asked not to be named, said: “Two suspects entered our residence through the back — the security guard was at the front.

“When they robbed the two students, one called for help and we charged out in a rage.

“We closed the front entrance — there were so many of us and we wanted to catch the suspects. They fired several shots and we ran in different directions.

“Unfortunately one of the students, who had not been robbed, was hit by a bullet. The suspects then ran away.”

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said the intruders were still at large, but that a case of attempted murder and house robbery had been opened.