Calm was restored at Stellenbosch University and at UCT following a week of sit-ins and protests which saw tests disrupted.
|||Cape Town - Calm was restored at Stellenbosch University and at UCT on Saturday following a week of sit-ins and protests which saw tests disrupted and at least one student hospitalised at the former and road closures and police presence at the latter.
SU vice-chancellor Wim de Villiers met students occupying the Wilcox Building on Saturday morning. Students demanded to know whether the university would increase fees in 2017. They also demanded answers about 150 outsourced workers who were dismissed following involvement in protest action last year.
Students began occupation of the university library demanding to meet De Villiers on Tuesday. The sit-ins continued until Friday, when the university issued a letter ordering them to disperse in five minutes. Students clashed with private security guards hired by the university and a student suffered a seizure and others were pepper-sprayed.
At UCT, students blocked roads and protested this week, disrupting a disciplinary tribunal where three student leaders dismissed earlier this year were to appear. They also called for the return of all student leaders who were expelled for involvement in protests last year.
In a statement, the university said: “It is important to stress that UCT has only instituted action against a very small number of students who are alleged to have committed criminal acts including assault, intimidation, arson and vandalism during the protests earlier this year”.
Student leader and SRC candidate Sinawo Thambo said they were meeting to discuss details of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission-type of process at the university. Students were not happy with the disciplinary processes and charged that the university was using the disciplinary process to intimidate student leaders and “destabilise the student movement”.
He said with a TRC process both the university and students would have open discussion. They were waiting for response from the university on their proposal.
Professor De Villiers said: “No vice-chancellor wants conflict on his or her campus and it is regrettable that there has been friction. However, we are doing our utmost to resolve the situation... We are committed to broadening access to the university and at the same time to student success.”
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Weekend Argus