Evidence wa ka Ngobeni
Vista University is facing court action by a student for irregularities and unfair treatment.
According to law student Magoshi Mamaila, officials at Vista’s Mamelodi campus unlawfully charge a R30 fee for student cards, although university regulations say students are supposed to be issued with them at no extra cost.
Mamaila’s lawyer, Jerry Musi, said his client, who paid a registration fee of R635, refused to pay the additional fee as it was contrary to university regulations. As a result, “my client has been subjected to prejudice”, Musi said Mamaila was denied access to the library and study materials, and was not allowed to write examinations because he did not have a student card.
In papers served on Vista’s deputy vice- chancellor (academic), Professor Kingston Nyamapfene, Musi said the institution should issue a student card to Mamaila at no extra cost and arrange for special supplementary examinations.
He added that the R30 fee should be invalidated on the grounds that it is illegal. “Our client [Mamaila] further instructs us that as a result of the failure of the university to attend to this matter promptly, he has suffered psychological and emotional distress which necessitates that he should consult specialists for counselling,” he wrote in the papers served on Nyamapfene.
Mamaila intends filing a civil suit against the institution asking R55 000 in compensation.
When Mamaila registered at the Mamelodi campus on February 26 1999, he went to collect his student card but officials told him he had to pay the fee. He says he did not pay because it was contrary to the University Calendar of 1999.
He wrote to Professor CT Keto, deputy vice-chancellor (administration), to complain. The Vista chief financial officer, then NS Cronje, instructed Mamelodi officials to “issue student identity cards to all students at no extra costs to the student”. This was not done.
Mamaila then laid a complaint with the Office of the Public Protector, Selby Baqwa. He did not resolve the problem.
According to Mamelodi campus principal Professor M Mboya, the decision to ask R30 from students was agreed upon between the campus management and student leaders.