WATCH VIDEO: Unisa registration extended
Xaba said that the protest would carry on until management agrees to a 14 percent pay rise.
Unisa has extended its registration dates after disruptions by protests.
University workers protested again on Thursday, demanding a pay rise of 14 percent.
ALSO READ: Peaceful protest at Unisa
Strike @ UNISA main campus @Radio702 @Azania_ pic.twitter.com/QujvNcBuEg
— Miss Bassie (@Sweet_Bassie) January 24, 2017
They were doing so under the banner of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).
Students were denied entry to register on all Unisa campuses and there was a total shutdown on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela could not be reached for comment.
Nehawu spokesperson Khaya Xaba said the university was sticking to its proposed 4.5-percent increase for all staff.
“The meeting we just had was not a success as the management are still offering the same offer which we won’t agree to,” said Xaba.
“Our people are being exploited while money is being wasted by the university.”
Xaba said management claimed there was no money to meet the union’s demands.
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“But last year alone, the university wasted about R150 million on installing useless IT equipment to upgrade their systems for the registration service.”
Xaba said that the protests would continue until the salary demand was met.
“We won’t give up now but we will continue to fight for the workers until our pleas are heard,” said Xaba.
“Students won’t be able to register as the workers we are representing won’t be working.”
He said Nehawu was not against the registration at Unisa but wanted the salary increment issue to be resolved.
Xaba said the IT systems for registrations didn’t do what they promised which was to help students register “effortlessly”.
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“But they couldn’t use it,”
Another R60 million was wasted on the improvement on the already well-functioning IT system of its Pretoria campuses.
Salary wars also cropped up at the Tshwane University of Technology and the University of Pretoria.
@unisa thank you!! #unisastrike for 1 day u decided to destroy the future of millions!! #university #strike
— Johann Crafford (@johancraf) January 26, 2017
@unisa thank you!! #unisastrike for 1 day u decided to destroy the future of millions!! #university #strike
— Johann Crafford (@johancraf) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/NonkuMahlangu/status/824545144322060288
https://twitter.com/gathonii_/status/824517542463098880
Students in other parts of the country like Giyane and in Durban were also affected by worker strikes.
Forced out #unisa #escalatedstrike #unisastrike pic.twitter.com/MVGEw8AAHd
— JimnyCricket (@naidoo_tiffany) January 24, 2017
Sunnyside police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela said a protest at Unisa earlier on Thursday was peaceful.
“So far, our officers have not arrested anyone. They are on the ground monitoring the situation but the protest was peaceful,” said Mavimbela.
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