Tension is mounting between the Black Student Movement (BSM) and Rhodes University over allegations that transformation was not happening fast enough.
This follows increasingly tense standoffs that have led to allegations of theft from vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela’s office, ongoing student occupation of the council chamber and a heated senate confrontation where a staff member threw water at a protester.
While the university claimed on Monday it had made “enormous strides” addressing transformation and was doing everything to speed it up, BSM hit back yesterday saying it was not enough.
A BSM statement vowed that protests, including council chamber occupation, would continue until transformation was resolved.
“The movement has followed procedure and submitted memorandums and met with the university management but no long-term solutions have been offered.”
Tensions came to a head on Friday when BSM gatecrashed a senate meeting after the venue was changed from the council chamber to the Gavin Relly post-graduate village.
On Monday, Rhodes spokeswoman Catherine Deiner said in a campus-wide communiqué the venue was changed “out of respect” for the BSM council chamber occupation. Gates were locked to prevent disruptions, while they discussed urgent matters, including vacation accommodation.
The BSM was not invited as students were represented by the SRC.
Although police were called, Deiner denied they got involved, even when the BSM forced the gate open and disrupted the meeting.
“Many staff members felt disrespected and threatened by the students who were singing, toyi-toying and jumping on the table and filming without permission.”
Several people left.
The communiqué however said it was unacceptable a staff member had thrown water at a protester during the confrontation.
Edited BSM video footage posted on social media was slammed as “misrepresentation”.
The communiqué claimed the video, Apartheid 2015, “blatantly falsified” events to fit a narrative that did not represent Rhodes University in 2015.
BSM hit back, saying administration was aware of their intention to address the senate and that armed police and dogs were already in the area when they arrived.
“It was clear that the police, campus protection unit and security guards were deployed to deny the BSM engagement with the decision-making bodies within the institution.”
BSM claimed three senior university managers subjected protesters to verbal and physical violence and intimidation outside the gates and called more police.
When they did get inside, the BSM said their concerns and demands were trivialised by senate members who “smirked” at issues raised.
SRC president Zikisa Maqubela yesterday said they supported the council chamber occupation as vacation accommodation was too expensive.
“It is well documented that transformation at Rhodes is too slow, it is not being engaged with the urgency it deserves.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
VIDEO: Tensions mount at Rhodes
This follows increasingly tense standoffs that have led to allegations of theft from vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela’s office, ongoing student occupation of the council chamber and a heated senate confrontation where a staff member threw water at a protester.
While the university claimed on Monday it had made “enormous strides” addressing transformation and was doing everything to speed it up, BSM hit back yesterday saying it was not enough.
A BSM statement vowed that protests, including council chamber occupation, would continue until transformation was resolved.
“The movement has followed procedure and submitted memorandums and met with the university management but no long-term solutions have been offered.”
Tensions came to a head on Friday when BSM gatecrashed a senate meeting after the venue was changed from the council chamber to the Gavin Relly post-graduate village.
On Monday, Rhodes spokeswoman Catherine Deiner said in a campus-wide communiqué the venue was changed “out of respect” for the BSM council chamber occupation. Gates were locked to prevent disruptions, while they discussed urgent matters, including vacation accommodation.
The BSM was not invited as students were represented by the SRC.
Although police were called, Deiner denied they got involved, even when the BSM forced the gate open and disrupted the meeting.
“Many staff members felt disrespected and threatened by the students who were singing, toyi-toying and jumping on the table and filming without permission.”
Several people left.
The communiqué however said it was unacceptable a staff member had thrown water at a protester during the confrontation.
Edited BSM video footage posted on social media was slammed as “misrepresentation”.
The communiqué claimed the video, Apartheid 2015, “blatantly falsified” events to fit a narrative that did not represent Rhodes University in 2015.
BSM hit back, saying administration was aware of their intention to address the senate and that armed police and dogs were already in the area when they arrived.
“It was clear that the police, campus protection unit and security guards were deployed to deny the BSM engagement with the decision-making bodies within the institution.”
BSM claimed three senior university managers subjected protesters to verbal and physical violence and intimidation outside the gates and called more police.
When they did get inside, the BSM said their concerns and demands were trivialised by senate members who “smirked” at issues raised.
SRC president Zikisa Maqubela yesterday said they supported the council chamber occupation as vacation accommodation was too expensive.
“It is well documented that transformation at Rhodes is too slow, it is not being engaged with the urgency it deserves.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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