SOUTH AFRICA COMPUTERS STOLEN AFTER ACADEMIC LECTURER SHOT VuvuzelaOnline - Lecturer shot dead in his home:

Lecturer shot dead in his home
Written by MARIZANNE KOK
Thursday, 22 March 2007

A POPULAR member of the Wits academic staff, Jens Mende, 62, was murdered in his home last week.

Mende was a senior lecturer in the Department of Information Systems. He had been at Wits for 28 years.

Four men broke into Mende’s property at Chartwell North, a smallholding and shot him.

Mende’s widow Hester said her husband, while wounded, had warned her about the intruders. She had locked herself in another room.

After killing Mende, the robbers tried to break down the door where Mrs Mende was hiding but fled when security guards arrived. They stole two laptop computers.

“There are so many people who were so incredibly kind and really loved Jens,” Mrs Mende said. “The shock of it all will probably come later, but the love from these people is carrying me through at this time.”

The German-born Mende had taught programming, system design, IS management and report writing at Wits since 1979.

He had a degree in applied mathematics and a masters degree in management and published several dozen papers on IT-related subjects.

Mende’s long-time colleague Dr Jason Cohen said the late lecturer would be remembered for his “humorous and eccentric character” and for his love of learning and teaching.“

The acting Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management also praised Mende, calling him “a dedicated scholar and a fine supervisor”.

She added that his students appreciated his efforts and that his legacy would live on in them.

A memorial service was held for Mende in Muldersdrift on Thursday. He is survived by his wife and brother.