Jim Mohlala|Published
A 19-year-old student is in hospital after allegedly being set alight at his Stellenbosch accommodation, while a woman of the same age faces attempted murder and arson charges.
The alleged attack took place on Sunday, October 18, at an off-campus student residence in Lackay Street in Cloetesville. The woman has since appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court, with her bail application scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026.
Police investigate alleged attack
Unverified reports and screenshots circulating online suggest the two are former partners. Neither the police nor Stellenbosch University has confirmed this, and the motive for the alleged attack has not been made public.
Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Frederick van Wyk confirmed that police were investigating.
“Kindly be advised that an arson and an attempted murder case was registered at Cloetesville SAPS for investigation following an incident on Sunday at a premises in Lackay Street, Cloetesville, in which a 19-year-old male was injured.”
He added that the injured student was taken to hospital.
“The injured victim was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” said Van Wyk.
Woman to apply for bail
According to Van Wyk, the suspect appeared in court on Tuesday, 20 October.
“The 19-year-old female was arrested and appeared in the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court yesterday for the mentioned charges.”
The case was postponed to Monday, 26 October, for a bail application.
Stellenbosch University (SU) said it was deeply concerned by the incident.
In a statement to IOL Media by the university’s spokesperson Martin Viljoen, the university confirmed that the student was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.
SU said that the accommodation is not owned or managed by the university.
Staff from SU’s Commuter Student Communities Unit have visited him in hospital and met with students living on the same premises to offer support.
SU said its duty of care extends to all students involved, and staff have also enquired about the welfare of the student who has been arrested.
Dr Leslie van Rooi, SU’s Dean of Students, said the impact of such an incident goes beyond those directly involved.
“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,” he said.
Van Rooi said the university was alert to the toll on affected students.
“The University recognises the distress this can cause, and we are making sure that affected students have access to the support they need.”
Students affected by the incident are urged to contact the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) on +27 21 808 4994, or the 24-hour crisis line on +27 10 205 3032, for confidential support.