TUT problems far from over, new protest looms
Another protest is on the cards as students are denied access into the campus.
Problems at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) are far from over.
This became evident on when the university reopened Tuesday, as scores of students were denied entry into the campus for different reasons such as historical debt and suspension.
Some students were turned away either because they owed the institution, had yet to register or are the five student representative council members (SRC) still suspended.
This prompted some students with valid credentials to remain outside in solidarity with those barred.
“Only registered students who produced valid student cards were allowed on campus,” said TUT spokesperson Willa de Ruyter.
Students told Rekord that while they wished classes would commence, they wanted university management to lift the ban on students who wanted to register including the said members of the SRC.
The SRC members were suspended following weeks of protests and class disruptions during the #FeesMustFall campaign.
The management later laid a charge of inciting violence and damage to property against them.
“This is the time to show unity. We can’t allow the management to divide us. We were fighting together as students and for a just cause, so it must allow all students to register, and lift the suspension of our SRC members. Otherwise the protests will never end,” said a Local Government and Management student who wished to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.
“The management is still tracing students who were involved in the strike,” said another student.
Another said during the protest last year, there had been an agreement that students who owed the university would be allowed to register once they signed an acknowledgement of debt.
“But now it is singing a different tune, saying only registered students are allowed on campus,” he said.
SRC deputy president, Sthembiso ka Shandu said the council was trying to get the management to lift the suspension.
“We [the SRC] are waiting for the management to serve us with letters informing us [when] the disciplinary committee sitting [would be],” he said.
“I am not happy. I’m being denied a chance to complete my Btech in public management. This is doing harm to my future, hopes and aspirations,” said Ka Shandu.
“But I wish to put it on record that I am not remorseful at all, I don’t regret even a single one of my actions, I will not be the only one to be victimised by the system of the capitalist management of TUT,” he said.
Security was tight on Tuesday, with the police and a private security company on guard.
This after the TUT executive management committee decided that students would have to meet strict conditions before the academic programme resumed.
There were claims that students had required medical attention after they were beaten up by the police following an altercation. It was said the police had used water cannons and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
De Ruyter said students who wanted to appeal their exclusion would have to provide their student number to security at the gate to gain access to the campus.
Also read:
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