Wits SRC points finger at university amid student suicides
The Student Representative Council (SRC) at Wits has accused the university of failing students following at least two suicides in recent weeks.
Two students allegedly committed suicide over a period of two weeks in June.
The student body has accused the university of failing to implement its own mental health policies.
"The suicides happened during the course of this month. It has been three thus far and has been students from different faculties. The university has tried to contact the families but has failed dismally in putting systems in place to ensure that we don't have another situation of a student committing suicide due to the academic pressure," says Wits SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka.
"There is also a mental health crisis across campuses, and it is not only at Wits. We are also calling on the government to put systems in place."
However, the institution's spokesperson Shirona Patel dismissed claims of academic pressures leading to suicide.
"The university can confirm that it lost two students in recent months, the one was studying Law and another who was a BA student.
"Both students were doing well academically and did not seem to be in financial distress or have any financial issues.
"Senior university officials met with the families of both students and these families have asked for privacy during this difficult time."
The student body is expected to meet with the senior executive of the university soon to discuss mental health issues.
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