Mukoni T Ratshitanga
Staff and students from the Soshanguve Technikon Northern Gauteng (TNG) this week picketed outside Pace magazine’s Johannesburg offices in protest against what they called “a media bashing campaign”. They claimed the magazine’s September and October editions branded the institution “a haven for criminals and a campus of terror” and created the impression that campus life is little more than a long sexual romp.
The report gave details of criminal activities allegedly committed by students and staff at TNG, which include rape, looting of food by students in dinning halls, possession of firearms and shooting on campus. TNG is suing Pace for damages.
“Almost 99% of the things that they said [in the article] are unfounded,” acting rector Moliki Collen said. Pace’s editor- in-chief, Force Khashane, refused to comment, saying TNG had turned down his request for a meeting to sort out the problem.