TUT Family Demands Justice After Tragic Death Of Student. The tragic death of Oratile Mothwa, a promising second-year journalism student at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), has sent shockwaves through the university community and across South Africa. As new details emerge, the Mothwa family demands justice for their beloved son, nephew, and brother, whose life was cut short under deeply suspicious circumstances.
Who Was Oratile Mothwa?
Oratile Mothwa was a 21-year-old with a bright future ahead of him. Enrolled in the journalism program at TUT, he was known among his peers and lecturers as passionate, dedicated, and full of potential. His sudden disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his body have left the community in grief and confusion.
Timeline of Events
To better understand this heartbreaking case, here’s a detailed timeline of the key events:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 6, 2025 | Oratile Mothwa reported missing by his family. |
| Late March – April | Family continues search while urging police to intensify investigation. |
| April 22, 2025 | Body discovered in a state mortuary at Steve Biko Hospital. |
| April 23, 2025 | Family identifies Oratile through his student card. |
| April 28, 2025 | Police confirm investigation is underway. |
| May 4, 2025 | Funeral scheduled in Seabe, outside Hammanskraal. |
Mothwa Mysterious Disappearance
The Mothwa family first reported Oratile missing on March 6, after he failed to return home. Concerns quickly grew when he remained unreachable. His family launched a campaign to raise awareness and urged anyone with information to come forward. Despite filing a missing persons case, communication from law enforcement remained minimal.
Discovery of the Body
On April 22, six weeks after his disappearance, Oratile’s body was discovered at the Steve Biko Hospital Mortuary. The news devastated the family. According to his relative, Letlhogonolo Maako, the hospital identified the body through Oratile’s TUT student card. Yet, despite this identification, no one contacted the family directly.
“Shockingly, he was identified by his student card. But despite this, no one reached out to the family to inform us about his whereabouts,” Maako said.
The hospital claims they emailed the university, notifying them of the discovery, but no effort was made to reach the family.
Suspicions of Foul Play
The Mothwa family does not believe Oratile died in a simple accident. Instead, they suspect he may have been kidnapped and murdered, with the scene later staged to look like a hit-and-run. His body was reportedly found on a road in Silverton, and the condition of the body has raised several red flags.
This suspicion has prompted renewed calls for transparency and a full investigation. The police have now opened an official investigation, but as of early May, no arrests have been made and few details have been shared with the public.
University Response and Accountability
The role of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in this tragedy has come under scrutiny. According to the hospital, the university was informed via email about Oratile’s death. However, the family claims they never received any information from the institution.
This has raised serious concerns about communication gaps between institutions and families, particularly when students go missing or are involved in tragic circumstances.
Universities have a responsibility to ensure that their students are accounted for and that families are supported during crises. The TUT community has expressed sorrow, but more needs to be done to provide answers.
Public Reaction and Student Outrage
Students across South Africa have rallied behind the #JusticeForOratile movement, demanding accountability, transparency, and improved safety measures for university students.
Key demands from the student community include:
- A full investigation into Oratile Mothwa’s death.
- An explanation from TUT on why the family was not contacted.
- Stricter safety protocols for students.
- An overhaul of communication between hospitals, police, and universities.
A Call for Systemic Change
The Mothwa case highlights systemic issues in the way missing persons cases are handled in South Africa. It underscores the need for better collaboration between law enforcement, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.
Many believe that if communication channels had worked properly, the Mothwa family would not have suffered through six agonizing weeks without answers.
This tragedy also sheds light on broader issues affecting student safety and welfare, including:
| Issue | Needed Action |
|---|---|
| Delayed police investigations | Faster response to missing person reports. |
| Poor hospital-to-family communication | Direct notification systems using ID cards and emergency contacts. |
| University inaction | Institutions must act immediately upon receiving such information. |
| Lack of public updates | Transparent investigations to build community trust. |
Funeral Arrangements and Final Goodbye
Oratile Mothwa will be laid to rest on Sunday, May 4, in Seabe, a village outside Hammanskraal. The funeral is expected to draw hundreds of mourners, including family, friends, students, faculty members, and members of the community who have been following his story closely.
Justice for Oratile
The Mothwa family remains committed to seeking justice. Their fight is not only for Oratile but for every student and family that could face a similar situation. They want the truth behind his death uncovered and for those responsible—if any—to be brought to justice.
The family is calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to intensify the investigation and leave no stone unturned. They are also urging human rights organizations, media, and the public to keep pressure on authorities.
How You Can Help
You can support the Mothwa family and the broader movement for justice by:
- Sharing Oratile’s story using #JusticeForOratile.
- Donating to trusted organizations that help families of missing persons.
- Participating in student-organized vigils and awareness campaigns.
- Calling on your local representatives to advocate for policy changes around student safety and missing person protocols.
Conclusion
The death of Oratile Mothwa is a heartbreaking story of lost potential and unanswered questions. As the TUT family demands justice, their hope lies in uncovering the truth and ensuring that no other family has to endure such pain.
