POLOKWANE – The University of Limpopo is in talks today with several roleplayers after what the EFF Student Council in Limpopo at first described as a peaceful protest at the university on Monday, soon turned violent.
Students gathered at Gate 1 of the university to demand off-campus and book allowances, 100% repatriation of students under Level 1, the disbandment of the newly elected Transitional Student Representative Council as well as access to campus facilities.
Review spoke to former EFFSC UL Chairperson, Lephale Ndaene, who led the protest.
“We (off-campus students) started with a night vigil on Sunday night. We had our list of demands, which include the disbandment of the transitional SRC, which came into effect as normal election could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he explained.
Ndaene said they also demanded access to facilities such as the library and places to study, which are found on campus.
“A scuffle ensued between us and the university’s security company. Our protest was friendly and there was nothing like petrol bombs or anything else to indicate otherwise.”
He claims the security personnel were instructed to shoot at students. “I was shot in the back and in my thigh as a result,” he added.
Ndaene said he went to the police station to lay a charge, but was advised to first go to the hospital for medical treatment.
“I was pepper sprayed and the doctor confirmed that I was stabbed. There were rubber bullets inside of me and I went home when I was discharged at 19:45. I was very weak,” he emphasised.
On video, it can be seen that a man, believed to be Ndaene, falls to the ground near security personnel.
On this video Ndaene can be seen going down after getting stabbed and subsequently surrounded by a bunch of security men who assaulted him.
This is the situation we have become accustomed to whenever we try to raise our grievances. @Julius_S_Malema @EFFStudents @MbuyiseniNdlozi pic.twitter.com/5mAvmPP9eU
— Khutso M (@LKMamabolo) May 10, 2021
According to Ndaene, he was dragged on the floor and into the university’s grounds after he fell.
Ndaene said together with his legal representation, they met with the university’s Director of Safety and Security, as well as the Dean of Students, to discuss the matter.
“We didn’t reach consensus and will continue with our protests until our demands are heard. We have opened cases against the certain members who gave instruction that we must be shot,” he concluded.
The university’s Acting Registrar, Prof Kwena Masha said they carried no knowledge of a shooting but that talks were ongoing today relating to the situation on campus.
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