'Freak accident' at NWU leaves lecturer dead
Staff and students at North West University are reeling after a freak accident on campus claimed the life of a lecturer.
Rudi van de Venter's body was discovered by security at the Potchefstroom campus on Saturday.
It's believed that the 48-year-old maths lecturer fell into a ditch and broke his neck.
"The university is currently upgrading to some of our water pipelines and all of these areas are completely cordoned off so the exact circumstances surrounding the death of Rudi is unknown at this stage," says the institution’s spokesperson Louis Jacobs.
"The university community is quite shocked and saddened at the loss of Mr Venter, especially in such a freak accident."
He adds that the university is providing staff and students with counselling.
North West police's Aafje Botma says an an inquest docket has been opened.
"Police are still busy with the investigation," says Botma.
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