Uproar at Tvet College

Disgruntled students from several Capricorn College for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) campuses were up in arms when they gathered at the central office in the city last Thursday. They were demanding, among others, the settling of their outstanding National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) fees which caters for their accommodation, groceries and transport allowances and text books. They also demanded that library facilities on all campuses of the institution be open 24 hours per day.
Congress of South African Students (Cosas) Capricorn Regional Chairperson Sello Mahladisa indicated that the strike was about the alleged corruption in the finance department at the central office because students have been struggling to get their allowances since last year.
He claimed that some students are still struggling to get their certificates despite the fact that their school fees have been paid. Students from Ramokgopa campus complained about poor infrastructure and lack of accommodation and Student Representative Council deputy chairperson, Thapelo Bopape claimed that students were being forced to engage in sexual activities with lecturers in order to have a place to stay.
During the rally close to 500 students blocked the entrance to the central campus and denied exit to all management and other personnel. The situation forced the Police to fire rubber bullets and utilise a stun grenade in order to disperse the large crowd and give way to the personnel.
The group in return responded by throwing stones as they ran for safety. At the time motorists in Market, Marshall and Suid streets found it difficult to navigate the busy roads that were being barricaded by rocks and trash. Road signs and street lights were further destroyed by the angry crowd on the bridge in Marshall Street before moving on to Suid Street where more infrastructure was targeted.
On Tuesday Philane Mfuntane, Secretary of Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command at Seshego Tvet campus told Polokwane Observer that the NSFAS money had been transferred to accounts belonging to some of the students. “Not all of them got the money. We are still waiting for them to settle all the outstanding fees. Regarding operational hours, transport allowance and groceries the campus said they would respond to us on 28 February.”
Yesterday (Wednesday) Capricorn College’s Public Relations Officer Tumelo Morobe emphasised that they had a meeting with student representatives on Friday and had resolved that qualifying students would get their monies. He added that the process of transferring monies into students’ bank accounts commenced on Friday and the process is ongoing. He further indicated that the delay was caused by the fact that the central office had to screen the list of learners who should receive the allowances to ensure that they didn’t pay some by mistake.
Morobe, however, highlighted that some of the issues raised by the students would be dealt with by the management on 28 February: “The students have called for the removal of hostel mothers and fathers but we couldn’t just take a decision without proper investigation. We have to check the contracts of these employees first to guide us,” he said, adding that all the issues raised would be dealt with accordingly.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com