THE EFFSC, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command, a student movement at DUT who initiated protest action with a group of students, cleaners and security guards at the Durban campus today told Berea Mail the protest action centred largely around outsourcing.
Stezo Gwala, an EFFSC member said the movement embarked on the protest because of various issues, especially outsourcing of all workers employed by companies outside of the University. “We are demanding that the University stops financial exclusions. Those students studying less than three modules must get access to residence and accommodation. We are also saying the workers who are employed by outside companies must be given a decent living wage of at least R10000,” added Gwala.
Gwala was concerned that the University vice chancellor, Professor Bawa, did not meet with the students. “He wants us to report to the SRC. We have tried to engage with the SRC but they have undermined us because they say their struggle is only for students, not workers.”
Cleaners and some security guards joined the student protests. “Our constitution is very clear, we are members of the community before we are students therefore we feel for these workers as they are like our mothers, sisters and brothers. We are not going to give up until we get what we are fighting for. They can arrest us, we won’t leave,” he added while police tried to negotiate with the crowd to disperse.
A cleaner who wishes to remain anonymous told Berea Mail she was happy the students had taken up their plight and appreciated their support. “I’m protesting because I’m pained by my salary, it is R1800 or sometimes R1900 for a month. I’ve got three children and have to pay for school fees, food and don’t even have enough money for transport to work,” the elderly woman said.
Professor Bawa said the protest was not legal. “We received a memorandum with a list of issues primarily regarding outsourcing of security and cleaning staff yesterday, but we currently have a standing SRC and we expect student issues to be raised through our SRC so there was no permission to march or protest granted from the state or University.”
Bawa said the SRC did raise the issue of outsourced workers at the university’s last Council meeting for 2015. “A committee is looking into the outsourcing matter. There is a process underway and a task team set up to look at outsourcing which is a very complex issue. We are managing the situation and hope that it doesn’t affect registration and preparations at hand for the start of the term next week,” concluded Bawa.
Meanwhile, Berea police provided security at the campus during the illegal protest. Captain TD Gumede, communications officer at Berea SAPS confirmed a large number of protesters were arrested for contravening the regulations of public violence act.
