EFF protest in support of students of Mshiniwami Training Academy

EVANDER – The EFF called on the Mshiniwami Training Academy to reinstate the five suspended students with immediate effect.

The party accused the institution of exploiting the students and misusing government money at the expense of tax payers.

The EFF shared these sentiment during their match against the academy in support of the students on Friday, 28 September.

This came after students protested against the academy in September after they were told they would not receive certificates, but statements for their results.

The student leaders held several meetings with the academy’s management during which they alleged that they were forced to sign an industrial action agreement.

The agreement required the students to commit themselves to peace and non-violence and not to engage in any unprotected strike or an illegal industrial action.

They had to sign that they would not receive certificates on completion of a skills programme, but would only receive a statement with the results.

Should they have any concerns, they must approach the available structures and procedures, such as the learners’ forum, the grievance procedure and CCMA.

The EFF said that they had to intervene because they cannot stand the suffering of a black child.

Nolz Modika, student: “The EFF demands that you give the students with NQF Level 2 certificates by end of 2018, failure to do that result to mass mobilisation.

“The process of selection procedure should be transparent and the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT) vacancies to be advertised in the municipal building and in local newspapers.

“We demand that the principal who allegedly take bribes of R3 000 from students to be charged with immediate effect, we have evidence. We request police officers to assist us on that matter.

“We demand that the stipend be fixed and that the deductions made since the students signed the contract, be paid back to them.”

The EFF gave the academy seven working days to respond.”

The memorandum was received by Mr Henry Meiring, general manager of Mshiniwami Training Academy and he promised that the institution will responded within seven days.

The students were not happy with the academy and alleged that although the protest action was legal, the institution locked some of the students inside the camp preventing them from taking part in the protest.

They alleged that their leaders are victimized and that some have left the camp fearing for their lives after they allegedly received death threats.

The also said the living conditions at the camp are horrible and that the food is not good.

“The food is expired and more often we are without water and electricity. They are doing this because they know that we are desperate unemployed youth.

“You cannot even complain because you will be victimized or suspended. One day we will talk about the corruption and the violence at this academy.

“It is sad because both the local government and provincial government are aware of the problems, but they are doing nothing about it.

“It is only the EFF that is showing support, we wonder why.”