Huis Marais residence on Stellenbosch main campus. PHOTO: Courtney Williams
With Stellenbosch University (SU) still grieving the death of Leandró Hopley, just footsteps away from his residence, campus security found Anzel Slimmert who had reportedly fallen from the third floor of Huis Marais in the early hours of Sunday morning.
SU spokesperson, Martin Viljoen said, “Stellenbosch University has confirmed an incident at the weekend in which a man presumably fell from the third floor in Huis Marais, a residence on the Stellenbosch campus. The man is not a student at the university.”
“The circumstances which led to the unfortunate incident are unclear, but Campus Security is gathering information. The incident has been reported to the SAPS.”
“The man stayed over with a friend in Huis Marais on Saturday evening and was found injured next to the residence early Sunday morning. Campus Security called the emergency services who transported him to the Stellenbosch Hospital. He was later transferred to the Tygerberg Hospital.”
“It seems as if the man fell from a bathroom window on the third floor. He was transferred to the Groote Schuur hospital on Tuesday morning.”
Huis Marais resident and friend of Slimmert, Emile Daniels declined to comment on the happenings of events which led to the unfortunate incident. Viljoen said that “family and friends are keeping SU staff informed about his condition,” with Daniels adding that Slimmert is in need of surgery – the extent of his injuries is still unclear.
The residence’s House Committee believe that the consumption of alcohol had most likely been a part of the events leading up to the tragic incident. They further added that the residence’s alcohol policy was revised and aligned with that of the university’s, however further questioning was referred to the university spokesperson.
Huis Visser and Huis Marais sit adjacent to one another. Both experienced tragic events just days after one another. PHOTO: Courtney Williams.
Just days after the death of first year student, Leandró Hopley who had been rumoured to have attempted to beat an informal drinking record, leadership in university spaces set up an emergency unit to address the drinking culture in Stellenbosch.
Vice-Rector of Learning and Teaching, Professor Arnold Schoonwinkel, who heads up the unit said that “the following perspectives were raised at the meeting that we held following the recent tragic events: individuals should take personal responsibility to stay within their own limits when using alcohol, so that they do not endanger themselves or harm others.”
“All students should exhibit care towards fellow students and intervene before friends over indulge.”
“Organisers of events and student leaders should take responsibility and action so that no participant over indulges when alcohol is served.”
Schoonwinkel then added, “I believe the above insights resonate with SU’s core values of accountability and compassion.”
Viljoen emphasised that “SU students who have been affected by the incident are encouraged to make use of the support services offered by the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD).”
Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD):
021 808 4994 (08:00 – 16:00 during office hours)
ER24 at 010 205 3032 after hours.