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University student dies as illegal abortion goes wrong

by Staff reporter
19 Mar 2012 at 04:40hrs | Views
A 20-year-old student in human resources from University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa, was found at about 09:30 on Sunday morning, apparently leaning against the door in her room in the Benjemijn hostel.

Her body was apparently already cold by the time paramedics arrived.

Brixton police spokesperson Constable Michael Kgatle said a post-mortem would be held.

"At this stage it would appear as if an illegal abortion was the cause of her death. There was a lot of blood on the scene. The investigation will provide more clarity."

Her body was removed from the hostel on Sunday afternoon.

UJ registrar Professor Marie Muller confirmed that suicide was not being investigated as a cause of death.

Campus security prohibited visits to the hostel on Sunday morning and groups of students congregated outside the hostel. Students were told not to speak to the media after several students expressed their shock on Twitter.

Masondo's friends said she was a quiet girl. She had felt sick a week or so before her sudden death. "The girls in the hostel are still emotional and very shocked," said a friend.

"We are in our semester exam period. Most students are writing tests on Tuesday and what happened is making it difficult for everyone, especially those who were closest to Ayanda.

"A few days ago I wished her happy birthday. It's really very tough."

- This is the second time in three years that a resident of Benjemijn has died in her hostel room. In 2009 Shandré van Tonder, 18, was found dead in her bed.

Source - Beeld