PRAKTISEER – Lectures at the Sekhukhune FET College’s CN Phatudi campus were interrupted on February 26 when students engaged in a peaceful protest.
After two journalists of Steelburger/Lydenburg news arrived at the scene the crowd of about 300 students turned on them. They screamed, spat, threatened and pinched the journalists and forced them to delete the photos they had taken.
Luckily police, security and some of the student leaders assisted the journalists to escape from the angry crowd. They returned to the protest after the leaders had explained to the crowd that they were only trying to tell their story. The two then received a warm welcome.
Students protested against a shortfall in money from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). They also accused the management of the college of not having their interests at heart and of enriching themselves with the NSFAS money.
They chanted and danced and sang revolutionary songs. They also repeatedly mentioned that they wouldn’t stop striking if their demands were not met.
“We want education, better toilets and this campus must be revamped. It is filthy,” one student shouted from the crowd.
Protesters that spoke to the reporters on condition of anonymity said they wanted the NSFAS department at the campus to help pay the tuition fees of the needy and academically deserving students.
At the time of going to print, the paper did not have the detailed demands of the students or a response from the college. An interview would have been held the next day where details would be revealed.
Rebecca Malatjie, station commander of the Tubatse SAPS, said the police were monitoring the situation. “There haven’t been any damages to campus property as yet. I also wish to strongly condemn any disruptions and destruction of property, and urge all to desist from this,” she said.
