STUDENTS who destroy infrastructure at university campuses will be prosecuted. That’s the stern warning from Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, who called on all relevant arms of the state to redouble their efforts to track down, prosecute and jail the small band of criminals working to destroy the country’s education infrastructure.
Nzimande was reacting to the burning of the main examination hall at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus, as well as the reported torching of a truck belonging to the University of Zululand this week. Nzimande said “there can never be a rational justification for the destruction of assets that we as a country need to empower the next generation so that they can play their full role in building the South African economy.”
He called on police, prosecutors and other responsible state institutions to “track down this criminal minority and put an end to their barbaric behaviour”.
“Communities, parents, students, and staff must also mobilise in protection of the country’s learning and teaching facilities,” he said.
At UKZN’s Howard College and Edgewood campuses, tensions are running high as student protests continue to disrupt classes resulting in a large security and police presence on campus this week.On Monday evening, a raging fire at the upper cafeteria on the Howard College campus was reported, but UKZN management has been unable to confirm if the fire was related to the student protests. Howard Collect Students Representative Council distanced itself from the blaze in a strongly worded message on social media saying the burning of University infrastructures was against its struggle for better services, was counter revolutionary and anti-majoritarian. “We have always believed in negotiating in good faith and raising our concerns in a diplomatic and more learned behaviour,” the statement said.
However, the SRC did confirm its stance on the mass action demonstration that took place on campus. “We are still prepared to lead a peaceful and non-violent demonstration which seeks to advance the struggle of the betterment of services and champion the students’ interests without fear, favour or prejudice. We want to affirm that our course is the noble one and we can’t allow clowns to hijack revolution through their unethical populist tendencies,” the statement said.
Lesiba Seshoka, executive director of UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division said protesting students at the Howard College campus attempted to stop some classes while four students were arrested for causting a public disturbance on its Edgewood campus. University Risk Management Services and Public Order Policing managed to disperse the crowds. She said the University has been engaged in extensive talks with student leadership this past week where it was resolved that some of the issues raised by student representatives fell within the jurisdiction of University’s Council.”The Chair of Council has advised the SRC that an opportunity will be afforded a delegation of the SRC to table their matters at a Council meeting scheduled for 19 September,” she said.
On the issues relating to fee increments and free education, the University said it was sympathetic to the plight of students but, like all other universities across the country, was waiting on guidance from Department of Higher Education. To date, no decision has been made on the 2017 fee structure which will only be finalised in November,”she said.
The university has urged students to follow established protocols and raise any concerns with their respective SRC representatives and emphasised that it is committed to engaging with students to address their grievances.
“We assure all students, parents and staff that every effort is being made to ensure that the campus is conducive to academic teaching and learning.”
However, a member of the SRC who spoke to Berea Mail on conditions of anonymity for fear of reprisal said the SRC was at a standstill. “We don’t know how to take our issues forward. We have outstanding issues from a memorandum sent a year ago. When we make demands as SRC, the university’s Management and Council shift responsibility in addressing our issues and only get limited support and interim solutions,” the student said.
He said he was concerned that UKZN’s Management was using “delaying tactics” instead of addressing issues and creating long term solutions. “We met with management last Sunday but the Vice Chancellor did not arrive rendering the meeting useless. We want to meet regarding the fee increment issue and they have set a date for the meeting in September but want to give us a response by November when no students will be around,” he said. Meanwhile, Umbilo police communications officer, Captain Pumzile Makaula confirmed Umbilo police had been stationed at the University after the protests and confirmed that arson investigation was underway.
