WALTER Sisulu University has closed both its Mthatha campuses after students went on a rampage, burning down a dining hall , toppling fences, smashing windows and scattering litter .
There have been weeks of violent protests, with students accusing management of dragging its feet in getting students to sign NSFAS loan bursary agreements, issuing “inteli cards” (meal vouchers), and of irregularly appointing a private security company.
Those leaving the campuses yesterday said they were worried about June exam s while international students have been left high and dry with nowhere to go.
On Thursday, 52 students were arrested and others injured when police fired rubber bullets.
The university has dismissed rumours that a security guard had died after he was stoned by the students.
The deputy premier of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Nelson Mandela Drive campus, Olwethu Tetyana, said the management ran the institution like a farm.
WSU is the second tertiary institution in Mthatha to close its doors. Classes were suspended at the King Sabata Dalindyebo Further Education and Training (FET) College in Cicirha last week after students failed to bring their parents to negotiate accommodation and meal fees.
WSU spokesperson Angela Church acknowledged the shutdown had a “major” impact on most students.
“The decision was taken to protect the lives of staff and students, and property,” she said.
Some of the issues raised by the students were receiving the “highest attention” but the shutdown would delay things.
Church said damage was “quite considerable” but she had no estimate yet as it was still being assessed.
She said they had decided on May 17 as a deadline for loan and bursary agreements when they met with representatives of the SRC.
Church said the eighth graduation ceremony, due on Friday and Saturday next week, would go ahead despite the closure. About 4000 graduates are expected .
The university would reopen “at least” a week after the ceremony and classes would be held after hours and on weekends to catch up.
“Clearly we don’t want to lose too much teaching time. The sad thing is that the majority suffers because of a few. The university condemns the ill-discipline of the students. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
Church said the appointment of the security company was not on the table and she could not comment further.
Administrator Lourens van Staden said the situation was ”deplorable and unacceptable” for an institution “ grappling with financial bankruptcy” .
WSU shuts down after protests
There have been weeks of violent protests, with students accusing management of dragging its feet in getting students to sign NSFAS loan bursary agreements, issuing “inteli cards” (meal vouchers), and of irregularly appointing a private security company.
Those leaving the campuses yesterday said they were worried about June exam s while international students have been left high and dry with nowhere to go.
On Thursday, 52 students were arrested and others injured when police fired rubber bullets.
The university has dismissed rumours that a security guard had died after he was stoned by the students.
The deputy premier of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Nelson Mandela Drive campus, Olwethu Tetyana, said the management ran the institution like a farm.
WSU is the second tertiary institution in Mthatha to close its doors. Classes were suspended at the King Sabata Dalindyebo Further Education and Training (FET) College in Cicirha last week after students failed to bring their parents to negotiate accommodation and meal fees.
WSU spokesperson Angela Church acknowledged the shutdown had a “major” impact on most students.
“The decision was taken to protect the lives of staff and students, and property,” she said.
Some of the issues raised by the students were receiving the “highest attention” but the shutdown would delay things.
Church said damage was “quite considerable” but she had no estimate yet as it was still being assessed.
She said they had decided on May 17 as a deadline for loan and bursary agreements when they met with representatives of the SRC.
Church said the eighth graduation ceremony, due on Friday and Saturday next week, would go ahead despite the closure. About 4000 graduates are expected .
The university would reopen “at least” a week after the ceremony and classes would be held after hours and on weekends to catch up.
“Clearly we don’t want to lose too much teaching time. The sad thing is that the majority suffers because of a few. The university condemns the ill-discipline of the students. It’s unacceptable,” she said.
Church said the appointment of the security company was not on the table and she could not comment further.
Administrator Lourens van Staden said the situation was ”deplorable and unacceptable” for an institution “ grappling with financial bankruptcy” .
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