Students at Stellenbosch University have petitioned for immediate action to improve safety.
This comes after the murder of first-year BSc student Jesse Mitchell on Wednesday, October 16.
Mitchell, a computer science student, was fatally stabbed on Borchers Street in Stellenbosch at 3 a.m. on Wednesday, October 16.
He would have turned 19 on that day.

Jesse Mitchell, a Centurion resident from Gauteng, was riding his bicycle back to his apartment at the Nooitgedacht student house in Stellenbosch when he was approached, robbed, and stabbed to death.
Rudolf Hufke, 19, has been charged with Mitchell’s murder and has given up bail at the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court.
Students from The Niche, EDGE, Plumbago, Boschenpark, Dennebosch, and Melrose Square organized a Change.org petition expressing profound concern for their safety.
The students added that following Mitchell’s terrible murder, it is apparent that immediate and decisive action is required to address the growing insecurity in the Stellenbosch University region.

“Over the past three years, there have been numerous incidents of muggings, assaults, and other criminal activities affecting our community, creating an environment of fear and concern. While private security firms have attempted to provide safety, their coverage is limited, leaving public spaces—where many incidents occur—vulnerable and unprotected,” the petition read.
The students are urgently demanding an increase in police patrols in key areas, particularly around Bird Street and main walkways used by students, improved street lighting on all streets and pathways frequented by students, and collaboration between local law enforcement, the university, and private security to ensure a coordinated approach to safety.
The petition goal is to reach 25,000 signatures. So far, 16,509 people have already signed.