Academic operations at Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha and East London campuses remained suspended yesterday as students continued boycotting classes.
The campuses were closed on Tuesday when protesting students turned violent, according to university spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo. Police had to be called in, which saw 51 students being arrested.
The group appeared in court on Tuesday for charges ranging from malicious damage to property to being part of an illegal gathering.
The students are demanding that the university management secures accommodation, an issue which the university has been battling with for years.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Buffalo City Campus student representative council (SRC) president Thulani Landu said the least they were asking for was temporary accommodation while the university tried to source permanent placements for students.
“Shortage of residences at Walter Sisulu University is nothing new and we demand that management provides temporary shelter for students,” said Landu.
Landu said they had proposed to the university that they negotiate lease agreements with individual property owners on behalf of the students.
Currently WSU’s East London and Potsdam residences have the capacity to accommodate only 249 students. However, due to critical shortages, Landu said more than 1000 students were housed at both campuses through illegal squatting.
Similar protests over shortage of accommodation also turned violent at the University of Cape Town on Tuesday night.
Fort Hare University’s East London campus also embarked on similar protests, but vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom assured students yesterday that a permanent solution would be found within 10 days.
WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said there was no breakthrough on finding a solution for the students’ demand.
She said the university management and the SRC were still engaging in negotiations to find an amicable solution.
“The unfortunate events posed a threat to the safety and security of students and staff, and immediate action had to be taken to prevent any further serious incidents,” Tukwayo said.
UFH spokesman Kgotso Moabi said management and the SRC were locked in meeting late yesterday, with the hope of finding a lasting solution to the impasse.
UFH SRC leader Malakhiwe Mbambo confirmed the meeting, saying the sooner a solution was found the better.
Classes on hold at WSU over residence issues
The campuses were closed on Tuesday when protesting students turned violent, according to university spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo. Police had to be called in, which saw 51 students being arrested.
The group appeared in court on Tuesday for charges ranging from malicious damage to property to being part of an illegal gathering.
The students are demanding that the university management secures accommodation, an issue which the university has been battling with for years.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Buffalo City Campus student representative council (SRC) president Thulani Landu said the least they were asking for was temporary accommodation while the university tried to source permanent placements for students.
“Shortage of residences at Walter Sisulu University is nothing new and we demand that management provides temporary shelter for students,” said Landu.
Landu said they had proposed to the university that they negotiate lease agreements with individual property owners on behalf of the students.
Currently WSU’s East London and Potsdam residences have the capacity to accommodate only 249 students. However, due to critical shortages, Landu said more than 1000 students were housed at both campuses through illegal squatting.
Similar protests over shortage of accommodation also turned violent at the University of Cape Town on Tuesday night.
Fort Hare University’s East London campus also embarked on similar protests, but vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom assured students yesterday that a permanent solution would be found within 10 days.
WSU spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said there was no breakthrough on finding a solution for the students’ demand.
She said the university management and the SRC were still engaging in negotiations to find an amicable solution.
“The unfortunate events posed a threat to the safety and security of students and staff, and immediate action had to be taken to prevent any further serious incidents,” Tukwayo said.
UFH spokesman Kgotso Moabi said management and the SRC were locked in meeting late yesterday, with the hope of finding a lasting solution to the impasse.
UFH SRC leader Malakhiwe Mbambo confirmed the meeting, saying the sooner a solution was found the better.
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