Witwatersrand PhD student commits suicide after failing to register for academic year after expiry of study permit

According to the university, a Zimbabwean PhD graduate, who was unable to enroll for a year of study at the University of the Witwatersrand because his textbook expired, committed suicide last weekend.

Philip Chuma - who has been described as a dedicated PhD student at the School of Education for the past five years - was unable to enroll for the 2022 academic year, Wits said.

The PhD student known as Chuma's study permit expired at the end of January 2022, and was in contact with the Department of Home Affairs to review his credentials.

There have been no policy changes regarding international students in recent years, and the university has successfully enrolled 2020 international students by 2022.

“By law the university cannot enroll foreign students without a valid study permit.

He said. Through its international office, the university provides a commitment to international students, and while we do our best to promote communication between students, staff and the Department of Home Affairs, we will not contribute to the results of government departments, "he said.

According to the department's spokesperson, Siya Qoza, they will need a passport or ID number to respond properly to Chuma's condition.

Chuma is studying for his PhD in transforming newly trained teachers into their first teaching position in Zimbabwean schools, Patel said.

he added. "He has just completed his data analysis chapters and has been busy interpreting his findings. He presented parts of his work at two international conferences recently and was intended to present his PhD work for examination later this year," he said.

was assisting in the repatriation of Chuma's body in Zimbabwe, the university said

In November 2021, Cabinet decided not to renew Zimbabwe's Permits. About 182,000 Zimbabweans have permits. They have been given 12 months to apply for relocation permits that are appropriate for their individual circumstances.

So the decision to cancel the permit provoked the anger of Zimbabweans and human rights activists who took the government to court, but the outcome was unsuccessful.

The Civil for Human Rights Association argued that it would not be possible for current permit holders to apply for additional permits.

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