PYA members who vandalized UniLim are going to be suspended – Mohuba
University of Limpopo students were taken into custody following the vandalism of property on campus
THE 12 University of Limpopo (UL) students purported to be members of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) were released on R300 bail each yesterday (Tuesday).
The students were taken into custody following the vandalism of property on campus last Thursday.
This included the smashing of lecture hall windows, car windscreens, windows, and head- and taillights. The perimeter fence was also destroyed in some sections and tyres were burnt on the premises. UL spokesperson, Kgalema Mohuba said the students’ letters of suspension were awaiting them when they returned to the university.
Mohuba said there was no outright winner in the student representative council (SRC) election as the PYA won seven seats, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) four seats, the ANCYL three and Student Christian Organisation two.
“PYA celebrated the release of the preliminary results.
They already reported to their constituency that they had won the election. When the final results were released, they assaulted the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officer,” he alleged.
“To win the SRC elections, they must have nine seats. The PYA is dreaming desperately when they say they won 11 seats. Now they are making wild allegations that I assaulted their presidential candidate. If that were true, he would be in hospital for sure. We are running the university effectively and efficiently,” Mohuba said.
South African Students Congress (Sasco) leader, Mokotjo Legodi said the riots were caused by management because they were allegedly conniving with the EFF to win the elections.
The Young Communist League (YCL), PYA and Sasco called on the UL’s vice chancellor, Prof Mahlo Mokgalong, to vacate the institution, alleging that he was pushing the EFF to win the SRC elections.
Kwena Seanego of the YCL said they were opposed to the continuous interference by the vice chancellor in constituting the SRC. Seanego said they also opposed to the brutal violence and abuse of state resources in trying to silence the voice of students.
The 12 suspects are due to appear before the Mankweng magistrate’s court again on December 3.
