Potchefstroom – The North West University is unaware of any new evidence regarding the drowning death of a student at its Potchefstroom campus last year, it said on Wednesday.

“The university is not aware of any new, concrete evidence or information that has been verified by an independent arbitrator. If  there is, the university will greatly appreciate it if such information is made available to us,” said vice-chancellor Theuns Eloff.

“The university awaits a formal response from  1/8Higher Education and Training 3/8 Minister  1/8Blade 3/8 Nzimande regarding this new investigation, and again we pledge our full co-operation and assistance to him and the Hawks.”

A first-year Bachelor of Engineering student, Thabang Makhoang, drowned in the swimming pool of the university in January 2012.

Makhoang, from Wolmaransstad, was with 76 other students when he  drowned after they participated in a fruit festival.

His body was found at the bottom of the pool by another group of  students who went for a swim later.

Eloff said that in 2012, Nzimande asked for an inquiry into Makhoang’s death and that the university pledged its full support and co-operation.

“It also gave its full support to the police in their investigation, and the university launched its own investigation that was headed by two senior independent advocates Vusi Pikoli SC and Lourens de Koning SC.”

The outcome of the independent investigation and the subsequent report was given to the deputy director general at the department of higher education, he said.

According to a report on the university’s website, the independent investigators concluded that no foul play was involved in Makhoang’s death, and no person or entity could be held accountable for causing the death through negligence or otherwise. – Sapa