POLOKWANE – According to Joan Maluleka, outgoing Secretary of the Student Representative Council (SRC), they have come to realise that students want to continue with their studies and that is why they requested the university open its doors again. The memorandum also requested there be no fee increment this year and the following year.
Maluleka said they are still going to fight for free education but with the relevant office (Department of Higher Education and Training) rather than the university. “We also requested that no one should expelled or suspended. The university management has until the end of the day to respond,” she said.
She further said they expect a positive response from management. University management is also requested to make a public apology to all the students, especially those who were victimised during the protests.
UL Marketing and Communications Executive Director, Kgalema Mohuba, confirmed they received the memorandum but they cannot respond to the demands within the given time because the university Vice-chancellor, Prof Mahlo Mokgalong is engaged in a meeting in Pretoria with President Jacob Zuma and the Department of Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande.
He further said they will present the memorandum to Mokgalong when he returns and respond to students’ demands in due course.
