UJ students protest over accommodation top-ups amid eviction fears
Students living at student accommodation claim they are being charged extra accommodation fees despite a R52 000 annual cap, while unpaid refunds and debt concerns continue to cause frustration.
UJ students living in private accommodation have raised concerns on June 5 over additional accommodation charges they claim they are being forced to pay despite receiving NSFAS funding.
Students claim that accommodation funded through NSFAS is capped at R52 000 per year. However, they claim they were required to sign lease agreements reflecting an annual accommodation fee of R62 000.
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According to students, the R10 000 difference is recovered through monthly top-up payments of approximately R1 000 over 10 months.
Some students have described the arrangement as “double leasing”, arguing that while NSFAS only covers R52 000, they are allegedly still expected to pay an additional amount through their lease agreements.
Students have also raised concerns about administration fees they claim they paid after being assured that the money would be refunded. They claim those refunds have yet to be processed.
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The issue has added financial pressure on some students, particularly those already struggling with outstanding debt.
Students further allege that those who fail to make the monthly top-up payments face punitive measures and possible eviction.
Speaking on behalf of affected students, UJ APK EFF chairperson Lwazi Sithole said frustration over the issue has been building since last year.
“Students even want to go out into the streets and protest against this issue because it has been happening since last year,” said Sithole.
He alleged that students who miss top-up payments have had their biometric access and Wi-Fi services suspended, sometimes during critical academic periods.
Sithole also cited a case involving a female student who was allegedly denied access to her residence after writing an examination.
Asked whether students were aware of the R62 000 lease amount when signing contracts, Sithole said most returning students knew about the arrangement, while many first-year students did not.
The publication sent media queries to NSFAS and the accommodation providers for comment. Their response will be updated once received.
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