Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education, science and innovation on Tuesday lambasted universities for suspending protesting students and for the hard-line approach adopted in dealing with demonstrations on campuses.
The committee was being briefed by student representative bodies – the South African Union of Students, which represent universities, and the South African Technical and Vocational Education and Training Student Association representing TVET colleges – on the latest developments at these institutions of higher learning.
Student bodies highlighted the challenges in different institutions of higher education, which mainly relate to National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
They highlighted delays in the payment of allowances, accommodation caps of R45 000, delays in appeals and the misinterpretation of NSFAS progression guidelines.
Some of the issues have resulted in student protests, some of which have turned violent, resulting in the suspensions and arrests of some students.
Committee chairperson Nompendulo Mkhatshwa said she is concerned about the intimidation of students and student leaders through arrests and suspensions.
“I’m very concerned by the suspension of the SRC president at Wits [university], the arrest of UKZN [University of KwaZulu-Natal] students and the fact that it has been a reality for so long,” said Mkhatshwa.
“I want to know if the department [of higher education, science and innovation] was aware of this.
“I know at Wits there are more students [apart] from the president of the SRC who have been suspended,” she said, adding that she knows that there are more students who have either been suspended or facing suspension or threatened with suspension.
“We need a proper audit of the number of students who may be affected by intimidation by management.”
EFF representative on the committee Thapelo Mogale condemned the university management’s heavy-handed approach in dealing with student protests.
“The militarisation of campuses inflames the situation,” said Mogale.
“We need answers particularly from the vice-chancellor of the UKZN, who has shut off any means engagement … They are turning universities into war zones.”
Another committee member of the ANC, Walter Letsie, emphasised that the committee does not support violent protests, but said they will also not support the hardline approached taken by the universities’ management.
Letsie said: “When a university employee who is in a management position is accused of something, the university does not act as quickly to suspend them.
“Some in our institutions have been accused of bad things including sexual harassment and working with accommodation providers for money … but when it is a student, the university does not even take three days to enforce suspensions.
“We must have a discussion with USAf [Universities South Africa] and the Department of Higher Education about this kind of attitude towards its biggest stakeholder while they are soft on each other.”
The committee will on Wednesday hear briefings from the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, NSFAS and other organisations representing institutions of higher education.
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