Students riot at Gert Sibande College
Other demands include a zero percent fee increase for the current academic year and free quality education for the poor and the middle class.
EVANDER – Students at GS TVET College in Evander heeded the national call by student organisations countrywide to shutdown tertiary institutions.
Students demand free registration for all students during the 2021 academic year, the registration period in all tertiary institutions to be extended to 30 April, financial clearance and the clearance of historical debts for all students.
They also want government to provide funding for post-graduate qualifications.
Other demands include a zero percent fee increase for the current academic year and free quality education for the poor and the middle class.
“We’ve been singing for free and decolonised education since 2015, up to this day our outcry is not heard because it falls on deaf ears and that’s why we decided to join the rest of the country in the national shutdown of all institutions of higher learning.
“We will continue protesting until our demands are met.
“We are experiencing a transport challenge since Thursday, 18 March, that was supposed to take students to the college to continue with our protest, but nothing will stop us, the protest is on,” said Mr Kgaugelo Matsane, EFF student command and former SRC chairperson of Evander Campus.
Solly Zwane Street that passes by the college was closed off with burning tires and garbage last week.
Sgt Zuki Mxhotyelwa, Evander Police spokesperson, said on Monday, 15 March, when the protest began, two vehicles were damaged and the drivers were also allegedly assaulted.
A case of public violence has been opened and no one has yet been arrested.
