Kaya 959 Reporter
A Zimbabwean PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa died by suicide when his visa renewal was denied despite the fact that he had a letter of good cause.
Phillip Chuma was researching the transition of newly certified teachers into their first teaching position in Zimbabwean schools for his PhD.
Chuma’s PhD was supposed to be ready for examination this year, according to Wits University.
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This is tragic.
— Mighti Jamie. (@MightiJamie) May 4, 2022
Philip Chuma, a PhD candidate at Wits University committed suicide over the weekend.
It seems he lost all hope after trying to renew his study permit on time. Wits says they did everything they could on their side.
Africa has lost a great educator. pic.twitter.com/GSryAKS2cs
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Commenting on the matter, Zimbabwean former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Jonathan Moyo said the student had played by the rules to no avail.
“Philip Chuma, a PhD candidate at Wits University in Johannesburg, died by suicide over the weekend; in a tragic case that has the evil trappings of the anti-Zimbabwean Afrophobia being pursued by Minister Motsoaledi at Home Affairs. Chuma played by the rules, to no avail. MHSRIP!”
Chuma’s study permission ran out at the end of January 2022, and he kept in touch with the Department of Home Affairs to have his paperwork processed.
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