Third university student found dead in just over a week

A third university student has been found dead in just over one week. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has confirmed the passing of one of its students, Justice Mmeli Gaqa, on Monday.

While the circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear, according to reports, it’s believed that he died due to natural causes.

This comes just days after Stellenbosch University student Chris Scheffers was found dead in his dorm room.

The 19-year-old’s body was found in his dorm room at the Dagbreek Men’s Residence on Saturday, after the management at his residence reportedly raised concern about not having seen him for some time.

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Scheffers was found lying on his back on his bed, already deceased.

It was later revealed that Scheffers died of meningococcal meningitis. Stellenbosch University’s Campus Health Services have since been activated, and contact tracing of people who were in close contact with Scheffers over the past ten days is now underway.

A week prior, on 26 July 2025, a University of Cape Town student died at his off-campus residence in Woodstock.

CPUT spokesperson, Lauren Kansley, says Gaqa recently got married and leaves behind his newly born child.

Kansley added that Gaqa had a range of student leadership positions, including being a Peer Helper and later a Student Assistant.

“Before he passed away he was passionately working towards establishing a Student Parliament at CPUT, this will see greater accountability for the SRC and it was a topic that he was avidly in favour of,”

She added that all staff members who encountered him and worked with him describe him as a trustworthy and diligent young man who was a pleasure to have in their midst.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family at this time,” said Kansley