By Kaizer Nengovhela and Thembi Siaga
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, condemned the violence displayed by Univen students during their four-day strike last week and said that law enforcement would leave no stone unturned to find out who had set fire to government property. Lamola was speaking during his visit to Thohoyandou on Friday, 15 September, following the disruption.
Disgruntled students initiated the four-day strike that lasted from 10 to 13 September. Frustration and dissatisfaction reached boiling point as the resolute students, demanding immediate action on several critical issues, brought university activities to a standstill.
One of their most pressing concerns was the dire shortage of adequate lecturers to teach modules.
The strike was reportedly prompted by the suspension of the president of the student representative council (SRC), Gudani Tshamano, and the SRC representative for sports and recreation, Rakgadi Mahladisa. They were allegedly suspended for a problem stemming from the previous strike in May this year.
The striking students simultaneously demanded the payment of allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which they claim to be long overdue. According to the students, many of them have not received their allowances since June.
Another major concern raised by the students is the need for boreholes to provide a backup water supply.
Mr Chavani Mulweli, spokesperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters' students command at Univen, emphasised that the issues affecting the students were numerous and could not be shortened into a single list. "We demand, amongst other things, that dysfunctional geysers at students' residences on campus be fixed, transport allowances for students staying at unaccredited residences, and registration refunds for students who paid their registration fees while funded by NSFAS," he said.
Students disrupted lectures and damaged property during the strike, barricading the main entrance to the university and roads around the campus with tyres. Rocks were pelted at motorists and two police vehicles were allegedly torched.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Lt Col Malesela Ledwaba, the Public Order Police Unit, along with the local police, were dispatched to the area during the strike to calm the situation. He said that, when police tried to disperse the violent protesters, the latter threw rocks at their vehicles. "One police Nyala was damaged, and a police van was burned after the protesters allegedly lobbed a makeshift petrol bomb at the vehicle. The police managed to stabilise the situation, and a case of public violence and two counts of malicious damage to property were opened," said Ledwaba.
Mr Takalani Dzaga, Univen's spokesperson, said that the university management had identified the students' protest as illegal. "The students promised to end the protest if they were allowed to present their list of demands. On Tuesday (12 September), a meeting was convened involving the university management, student council, and other students, during which the list of demands was presented. The university management is currently deliberating on the demands," he said.
Dzaga said the university management condemned the students' actions in the strongest possible terms and that the university management was working with law-enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators and instigators of this illegal and violent protest to book.
Lamola appealed to the students to exercise their right to protest within the confines of the law. He said that none of these acts of violence by the students could be justified. He called on law-enforcement agencies to act swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators. "Although we respect the right of students to protest, we will not tolerate criminal elements and people violating the law that is in place to protect other people and their properties," he said.