Student riots sadden churches

The Provincial Office of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) is saddened by the violent student protest which has resulted in various universities suspending their academic programmes.
SACC Spokesperson, Selaelo Nkube said they will continue to support efforts by the government and all other stakeholders in providing free education to students but they are worried that there may be a third force behind the disruption of tertiary education. “Our concern is that it seems as if this has nothing to do with fees at our institutions of higher learning, but a political battle of its own kind.
“We studied what the Minister of Higher Education proposed carefully and we were hoping that students from different institutions would engage their Councils and Management, but instead, even before Universities declared their positions on fees for the 2017 academic year, students are out on the streets destroying the same property they will need for studying.
“We accept that government must do more in assisting our students but the private sector must also play its part. We would like to call upon all parents to take over the debate around free education with sober minds, and encourage their children to go back to class. If student leaders are not ready to sit for exams, they must allow their parents to deliberate on this issue and find amicable solutions which will not burn our country and destroy the democracy we all so much cherish,” Nkube stated.
In the meantime the Polokwane Muslim Trust Welfare Fund assisted 48 stranded University of Limpopo (UL) students by providing them with food and money for transport on Friday.
The trust thought it well to support the students who were sleeping in a church in Mankweng after hostels at the university had to be vacated until further notice last week. Students were handed a plate of food and a cold drink as well as money to pay for transport back to their homes.
“Most students are from Mpumalanga, Gauteng and neighbouring towns such as Mokopane and Giyani. We would like to extend our gratitude towards the Polokwane Muslim Trust Welfare Fund for assisting us,” UL student Karabo Rampya said.
Some mixed feelings were noted among the students as some were for and others against the #FeesMustFall campaign. Rampya was of the opinion that the campaign was justified so that all can enjoy equal education.
Provincial Police Head of Corporate of Communication Motlafela Mojapelo said the case against three students who were arrested on charges of malicious damage to property was dismissed by the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court last Thursday due to insufficient evidence against the accused. They were released.
At the time of going to press academic activities had not yet resumed at the UL.

Story: RC Myburgh
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Herbert Rachuene
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Photo: RC Myburgh

Featured photo: Representatives of the Polokwane Muslim Trust Welfare Fund, in the front, with 48 University of Limpopo students who were provided with food parcels, cold drinks and transport money on Friday.