WATCH: UL burns as students demand off-campus allowances

POLOKWANE – The University of Limpopo (UL) said they are committed to assisting students by advancing allowances as far as their cash flow allows.

Violent protests resulted in damage to property at UL over the non-payment of off-campus allowances on Wednesday (September 14).

The situation was described as hostile as several buildings were set alight and property vandalised including access gates to several entrances and the perimeter fence of the university.

A student representative told Polokwane Review that students have not received their off-campus allowances for the past seven months and risk being evicted from their accommodation.

“NSFAS students who reside off campus are supposed to be catered for through an off-campus allowance in order to pay their rent. NSFAS then made a decision that the money should not go to the students themselves but to the landlords,” Khutso Mamabolo said.

UL has since been in the process of verifying off-campus residences and landlords to streamline the process which has caused a delay.

UL spokesperson Johannes Selepe said the delay is due to some landlords and students still not concluding their lease agreements, despite numerous requests by the university.

“The NSFAS policy is that there will be no accommodation allowance if there is no signed lease agreement. We are pleading with all landlords and students to ensure that they conclude their respective activities so the university can facilitate the speedy resolution of the matter,” he said.

Selepe added that executive management continues to engage on the issues raised and that they are continuously liaising with NSFAS to promptly process allowances for concluded and verified cases.

A heavy police and private security presence remains on campus.