Unanswered questions following Wits student suicide

The incident happened on Saturday night.

Police spokesperson Kay Makhubele says the first-year student was declared dead on scene.

Eyewitness and student activist, Busisiwe Seabe, says she was alerted that the student was contemplating suicide at her flat's balcony.

''I was told to come to the res after some comrades called me saying she has been sitting at the balcony for two hours wondering if she should jump or not,'' Seabe says.

''After much encouragement from her friends, she jumped and it is at that time that I arrived on scene when it was already to late to dissuade her.''

Seabe says the students who encouraged the 19-year-old student to jump, told her they did not think she would go through with it.  

''... from what they were saying, they didn't think she would do it because [they thought that since some] people speak about jumping on a daily basis and when someone says they are going to jump nobody takes them seriously until they actually do it'', Seabe said.

However, even though Makhubele confirmed that she was declared dead upon police arrival, Seabe maintains that when the female student fell to the ground she was still breathing for some time, awaiting an ambulance and medical attention for almost an hour before she died.

ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring, and Netcare 911 spokesperson, Nick Dollman, do not have any records of paramedics attending to the incident.

However, Johannesburg Emergency Services' Nana Radebe says they have record of a call for paramedics to attend to an alleged suicide at around 9'o clock in the evening, which was later withrawn.

Wits University's Security Services' David Maphupha says they confirmed the incident last night but have no recording of which paramedics declared the student dead.

At this moment it's unclear which paramedics were on site to verify the 19-year-old's passing.

The motive for the suicide is not yet known and police have opened an inquest into the young women's death.

Seabe says based on her interactions with the 19-year-old, her academic and financial woes were some of her biggest battles. She lost her finacial assistance when she was in the process of changing courses.

Wits University spokesperson Shirona Patel says the institution is saddened by the 19-year-old's death.

''The University is saddened by the tragic death of one of our students and our deepest sympathies are extended to the family and friends of the student and those who knew her well.

''It is always heart wrenching to lose a young life and we pray for solace for those who knew her well during this difficult period.

''The office of the Dean of Students is in contact with the family and will continue liaising with them.”