The students burned debris and toyi-toyi by singing freedom songs. The strike action started in the morning of Monday, February 16. They said they had several issues with the management of the campus.
The students had a running battle with the police and later regrouped and their leaders held a discussion with Witbank station commissioner Brigadiers Sifiso Cele.
The issues raised by the students are:
They alleged that they have sent several emails to the campus director Professor T.I. Pudi raising their issues without any response.
They were complaining about the issue of the transport and its contract had expired, but was not renewed
They alleged that a third party was involved in sorting out the issue of the contract
Another issue raised was that of the student’s accommodation, it was said the price was inflated by 300% from R270 to more than R2 000
According to the students it was agreed that the price would not increase by more than 13% as stated in the university’s policy.
They also said they had made some recommendations to the management on the issue of student accommodation.
Another point raised is that of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) budget which they do yearly and it becomes difficult for students if university fees are inflated once the budget is done.
Another issue raised was that of school bus transporting students at late hours, according to them it was greed that it will cater for students staying in KwaGuqa and KwaGuqa Extensions if they want to come to the library but that is not done.
The students also complained that Prof Pudi is not available to the students when needed.
The students also said they have other issues to raise with the university management.
Brigadier Cele promised that he would personally arrange a meeting with Professor Pudi at a neutral venue.
A questionnaire was sent to the university to get their side of the story but no response was received.
It was reported that protests at the main campus of the Tshwane University of Technology had spread to its Ga-Rankuwa and Soshanguve campuses as well.
“The protest action, which has already resulted in the suspension of business at the Soshanguve North and South Campuses last week, started to spill over to other University campuses,” TUT said in a statement.
University management met student leaders on Wednesday evening, February 11 in a bid to resolve points of contention, primarily student funding. Although progressive proposals from the University’s side were tabled, these were rejected by the student leaders,” reads a statement from Sapa.
The SA Students Congress last week criticised university management for failing to help needy students.
