The bail application of a 19-year-old Stellenbosch University (SU) student accused of attempted murder and arson was postponed to 18 November. This happened after she didn’t appear in court for her scheduled appearance on Monday 26 October.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed Dimpho Violet Mokotedi’s case was postponed in absentia in the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court.
She remained in custody and had since been suspended by SU.
Mokotedi faced charges of attempted murder and arson following an incident at a private student residence in Lackay Street, Cloetesville on Sunday 18 October. The incident led to a 19-year-old male student being injured. His room was allegedly set alight.
According to the allegations outlined by the State, Mokotedi was seen outside the victim’s room. She was allegedly placing burning pieces of paper under the door while he was asleep inside.
The fire allegedly spread into the room, prompting passers-by to kick the door down to rescue the student.
He sustained burns in the fire and was transported to a nearby hospital.
ALSO READ: Student hospitalised after room set alight at Stellenbosch
Mokotedi first appeared in court on 20 October, when she elected to be represented by Legal Aid. The matter was postponed for a bail application, which the state intended to oppose.
The reason for Monday’s postponement was not made clear by Ntabazalila’s statement.
ALSO READ: Student (19) charged with arson and attempted murder after Stellenbosch fire incident
Student leadership responds
The incident has also prompted responses from student-representative structures at SU. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and the Student Parliament Executive expressed concern and solidarity with the injured student.
In a statement posted on Instagram on 22 October the SRC reaffirmed its opposition to all forms of gender-based violence (GBV).
The SRC also said it was exploring possible arrangements to enable the injured student to participate in the current assessment period with the necessary support, consideration and dignity. This is because the incident occurred shortly before the university’s final examinations.
SU Student Parliament Executive issued a separate statement on 23 October. They expressed solidarity with the injured student and condemned all forms of GBV.
The statements come as students and members of the wider university community grapple with the impact of the incident. They also have concerns about student safety at privately managed accommodation.
University offers support
SU previously confirmed that it was deeply concerned about the incident. In this incident, a student’s room was allegedly set alight at off-campus accommodation that is neither owned nor managed by the university. The university has since suspended Mokotedi.
Staff from the university’s Commuter Student Communities Unit visited the injured student in hospital. They also met with other students living at the residence to offer support.
The university said its duty of care extended to all students involved, including the arrested student.
“An incident of this nature can have a significant emotional impact, not only on those directly involved, but also on their housemates and other students,” said Dr Leslie van Rooi, SU’s Dean of Students. “The university recognises the distress this can cause, and we are making sure affected students have access to the support they need.”
SU said it would cooperate with the authorities as required and that its own internal processes would follow in due course.
Mokotedi is expected to return to the Stellenbosch Magistrates’ Court on 18 November for her bail application.
