No excuse for student violence during campus protests

We have observed with regret, the incidents of protests and unrest at several universities over the past few years.

The latest protest was at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. A staff member, whose car was set alight, apparently shot at students. As a result, a case of murder was opened.

Universities should be safe havens for students, places where they can pursue their academic goals without fear of violence or harm. However, we have reached a point where the same – not always all – students precipitate the response of either law enforcement or the campus security.

While it started out with noble intentions, it has seemingly gone too far with hooliganism and thuggish behaviour rearing its ugly head.

How can we support potential intellectuals who revert to burning and destroying university buildings? Suppose the university says it will not increase its fees, who will pay for these damages caused in the wake of trying to effect changes to institutions?

ALSO READ: WATCH: Walter Sisulu University’s protest shooting denial

Surely there must be some economics students who are protesting and might be able to share some lessons from economics 101. What you damage needs to be replaced – who will pay and how?

What does a parent say when they see their child on TV, acting in a way that shames them? Does the parent say tomorrow you must be more vocal my child?

Does the parent perhaps engage their child, asking if there are no better ways to address the challenges? Which parent encourages and blesses their child to be part of destruction? Which parent has no problem with their child disturbing the learning of other students who do not want to protest?

Some people may read this and claim that I am an elitist who does not understand the financial struggles students are experiencing.

Maybe I don’t, but can we really have education come to a halt, in September, two months away from end of year examinations?

ALSO READ: One student killed and two injured at Walter Sisulu University

Can staff be too afraid to go to work because they are not sure how students will react on any given day? I’m sorry, but this protest action has lost its legitimacy when it turns violent and criminal elements becomes order of the day.

The protest action by students needs to be studied and hopefully revised. They must engage better.

The loss of life, or even the injuries that normally occur because of these protests, can no longer be considered as deaths of martyrs but as what they are, preventative deaths.