‘There is no graduation after death’ – students

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Economic Freedom Fighters Students and other political representatives disrupted the Vaal University of Technology on Monday with a demand to see Vice Chancellor and Principal Prof Irene Moutlana.
Students protested and abandoned classes to force university management to adhere to their political demands. The protest apparently rose due to the death of students, and security measures within and residential commune.
All roads and access to the university were closed with students singing and dancing in front of the main gate. President of the SRC Troy Mathebula addressed the students. He said the two female students who were brutally murdered last week, brings the number to approximately 14 deaths within the last 18 months. “These students lost their lives due to weak security,” says Mathebula.
He listed three of many demands they had:
* The main gates CCTV cameras are not working.
* The easy access to get in and out of campus
* The removal of Bafoko Security Company and Zeni
The initial motion of the students was to go to the place where the two students were murdered and pay their last respects.
Vaalweekblad spoke to some students. “We are going to fight until we get maximum security. We pay a student security levy and we demand intensive security. There is no graduation after death,” said one of the students.
Management of the Vaal University of Technology lead by Prof Moutlana responded: “We wish to express our concern over the events leading up to the protest and disruptions on Monday.
It is management’s view that the action by the SRC was unwarranted. Furthermore, management was prepared to receive a memorandum from the SRC President which he refused to hand over.
“Management wishes to put on record that the safety and security of our staff and students is of the utmost concern to the university. To this end management acknowledges the concerns raised by students regarding security and access control.”
The university is in the process of rolling out the CCTV project which includes:
Security cameras; access control; monitoring and surveillance of the premises, to mention but a few.
Thanks to steps taken by management the crimes that occurred early last year (2014) have been resolved.
Management is saddened by the death of the two female Logistics students.
“While we mourn their deaths, we must however point out that this incident took place off-campus at a private house where they were living. This house is not part of the university accredited student accommodation.” according to VUT’s press statement.
The university has a policy for accrediting private student accommodation which prioritises the safety and security of students in line with DHET’s criteria.
In the meantime a suspect has been arrested and appeared in court on September 15.
“Management visited the house where the two deceased resided. Once more management, staff and students of the university wish to express their condolences to the parents and friends of the deceased. Above all, we remain committed to the safety and security of all those who learn, teach and work within the Vaal University of Technology.”