THE impending threat by the student union to close down universities if their demands for free university education is not met seems to be premature. The report by the Council on Higher Education has been handed over to minister Blade Nzimande for his perusal and intervention.
However there has been an indefinite postponement of an announcement on university fees for 2017. The current threat cannot be taken lightly. Recently the Wits University Auditorium was burnt by arsonists. Students allegedly implicated have been charged with the court case to resume soon. How can such acts of blatant destruction be equated to a protest that is calling for fees to fall. Destruction of university property must be severely dealt with dire consequences and sanctions imposed on perpetrators. A precedent has to be set to deter future acts of unwanton destruction.
The sustainability of universities has come under extreme financial stress with a zero percent increase in 2016. The anticipated fee increase for the 2017 academic year is projected at eight per cent.Such increases are necessary to protect the financial viability and academic quality of our universities. With students demanding free education, the notion of a fee increase is going to lead to mass mobilisation of students and intensification of protest action. Student leaders are talking about a full scale revolution if their demands are not met.
Is the security personnel responsible for maintaining law and order ready to quell any violence or destruction to property that may occur during the protest action? When it comes to barbaric, hostile and violent acts the security officers must be afforded flexible powers to bring it under control. In such instances there can never be any negotiations with the protesters as this will give legitimacy to their actions. The forthcoming attraction in the continuing saga of the hash tag fees must campaign continues.
Vijay Surujpal
Phoenix
