Exams still on hold at UMP
Two mobile offices and a vehicle belonging to the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) were some of the valuable items burned during a recent chaotic student protest at the Mbombela campus.
It is not clear when the students will continue with their final year-end exams. On Tuesday morning, Dr Paul Maminza, the dean of students affairs, told Lowvelder Express that they were certain that the situation will return to normal as the university intends to beef up security on site.
“We are hopeful that things will revert to normal and the students will continue with their exams. As far as we are concerned as a university the exams are still on. We have not postponed them, although the university is still on hold. Our security comes to clean and open the gates during the day, but those striking students always mess up everything at night. We are positive, however, that we will contain the situation,” he said.
READ: Exam proceedings disturbed by protests at University of Mpumalanga
The students blockaded the entrances with debris and burning tyres last week. Their concerns included issues of the academic year extension and accommodation allowances for off-camp students during the extended period. They alleged that some of them had been evicted from their private accommodation by service providers to which they owe rent. The strike has entered its second week. Some of the students have already left campus for safety reasons. Lowvelder Express has since learned from concerned students that there are many issues worsening the situation at UMP.
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“All students were told that they will be writing their exams in January, but were later told they would do so in December. As students, we feel that there is someone in management who is making decisions without consulting with us. More needs to be done when students write exams. We need to be accommodated and to be able to buy food. We won’t be able to function properly without being paid the accommodation and food allowance by NSFAS,” said Noxolo Zuko*.
Zuko alleged that some of the students have used the protest as payback or revenge on certain lecturers who have been accused of racism, hence the torching of the mobile units used by them.
Another student, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the protest was hijacked by some politicians and people who are not students, to push their own agendas.
“There are people who are trying to manipulate this. The protest itself was only genuine in the first 24 to 48 hours. Whatever is happening afterwards is no longer serving the interests of students,” he said.
* Not her real name
