Arson attack as union protests at Unisa vice-chancellor’s official residence
“We were demonstrating peacefully in the street and do not know the group of people who set the guardhouse on fire.”
Unisa employees on Monday set a guardhouse on fire and barricaded the driveway of the university’s vice chancellor’s official residence in Muckleneuk, Pretoria with burning tyres.
The protest saw the corner of Elandspoort and Ridge streets barricaded with burning tyres, forcing traffic to find alternative routes.
Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. As a result, the group dispersed immediately after the police arrived at the scene.
One of the protesters was heard shouting from within the violent group saying “this is just a warning shot”.
National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) Tshwane regional chairperson Ivan Ramogale condemned the acts of violence.
“We were demonstrating peacefully in the street as we did not set any vehicle on fire or damage any property. Therefore, we do not know the group of people who set the guardhouse on fire,” he said.
Ramogale said they were protesting the university “unlawfully” suspending five of their shop stewards who were also Nehawu office bearers.
Ramogale said according to the labour relations act, a union should be informed and consulted before an employer discipline and suspend a shop steward, citing that such a process had not been followed.
“On April 19, our shop stewards received letters directly from the office of the vice-chancellor suggesting that the university was suspending them, which was unlawful.”
He said several attempts to discuss the matter had proved to be fruitless thus far.
Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said the university was open to discussions.
“The university has always been communicating its commitment to continuous engagement with organised labour to resolve whatever issues,” Ramotshela said.
The university had always been insisting that it respected the rights of workers to embark on a protest or industrial action as long as the strike happened within the ambit of the law, he said.
He added that in the act of exercising their right they should not violate the rights of others.
Ramotshela confirmed that the fire was at “the official residency of the vice-chancellor”.
He, however, could not confirm if the current vice-chancellor had moved into the university residency.
Ramotshela condemned the acts of the protestors.
“The setting of the guardhouse on fire is very unfortunate and the university cannot condone it under any circumstances.”
He said the university believed violence should not be used as a form of conflict resolution or to try and express frustrations.
“The matter is in the hands of the police.”
Sunnyside police spokesperson Captain Daniel Mavimbela confirmed that a case of arson was opened.
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