After havoc, damaged property and an attempt to set alight the Capricorn College for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) central office in Market Street last Tuesday, at least 40% of deserving students affiliated to the institution reportedly received their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) allowances by last Thursday.
At the same time two student leaders seen to have been at the forefront of the protest have been suspended from the college. This followed the return of students to the central office for a planned meeting with college management last Thursday. According to Philane Mfuntane, Secretary of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Student Command at Seshego Tvet Campus, the protest somehow perpetuated the college management to transfer the allowances into the bank accounts of deserving students shortly after. He, however added that about 40% of the allowances were paid by Thursday while other students were still waiting for what was due to them.
Mfuntane informed Polokwane Observer that the planned meeting with college management could not proceed as he and Student Representative Council President, Pastor Machaba were informed by Principal Lekau Mamabolo that they had been suspended. He said they would continue to fight for the rights of the students regardless of their suspension and added that students had threatened to shut down all the campuses in due course if allowances are not paid to all the beneficiaries. Students also raised issues of dilapidated hostels, classrooms and unhygienic ablution facilities. Mfuntane further indicated that the three students arrested after the Tuesday protest have been released but they are expected to appear again in court on 6 September.
Mienkie Ramakgoakgoa of the Provincial Police Communications Centre confirmed that Achievements Nyathi (20), Ella Mogolola (20) and Anna Netshigweda (19) were released on warming last Thursday and are expected back in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on the said date.
Capricorn College for Tvet Marketing and Branding Officer Adelaide Mabotja said: “There were no issues about Nsfas. The college has been paying and continues to pay all the deserving beneficiaries. The situation is calm and classes are continuing. The pair have been suspended pending further investigations. The issue of infrastructure is a crisis facing all institutions of higher education. The Department of Higher Education and Training and the college are doing everything in their power to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure for all students.”
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
