The Mamelodi campus of the University of Pretoria has been closed down for a week amid intimidation by striking students, the Student Representative Council (SRC) said.
SRC deputy president Adel Vlok said students were ”using foul language and getting aggressive”.
Students boycotted classes on Monday over the exclusion of those unable to pay their fees and those who had failed, and a lack of transport.
There were no classes on Friday either, said Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma) president Mametlwa Sebei.
Vlok said the strike was being held under the name of the SRC, which students were not allowed to do. There were still interdicts against some students after last year’s strike, she said.
”This is totally unacceptable. Other students are there to study and this is disrupting them. Nothing will get resolved in this way,” said Vlok.
Sebei said students were angry because despite agreements reached between students and management in 2005, there was ”no sign” of management’s undertakings being implemented.
”We are saying they have demonstrated a lack of faithfulness. They have not moved an inch to improve conditions for the future,” he said.
He said they did not expect the university management to have built the promised residences already, but there were no signs of any steps in this direction.
Agreements to include the student movement in negotiations on fee increases had also not been honoured.
”They [management] did agree to this process, but the organisation has not even been informed of this year’s increases. They have done all they could to hide the information from us.”
The organisation was also against underperforming students being excluded from continuing their studies.
”In 2004, of the first years registered, 22% could not return and by April 2005 already four percent of registered first years had dropped out.
”The university must provide support and … an environment conducive to academic excellence,” he said.
Sebei said financial aid should completely cover students’ expenses even if they did not perform very well.
”They should be allowed to come back. Otherwise they add to the number of unemployed youth in communities.”
He said Pasma had applied for permission to hold a mass meeting at the university’s main campus on Wednesday.
University spokesperson Somarie Grey said several university officials were holding an on-site inspection and discussions with student leaders on the Mamelodi campus. The university would release a statement on their return.
Vlok said the Dean and Vice-Chancellor had attempted to address students, but had been completely ignored.
South African Students Congress (Sasco) secretary general Terror Yako said that while Sasco supported the student’s grievances it did not support the manner in which the protests were being carried out.
”We don’t support the stopping of classes and general riot-causing. We have set up mechanisms to deal with such issues to make management and students communicate and clear up disagreements of this nature,” he said.
Sasco had planned a peaceful march on Thursday. ”It’s premature to go on a rampage.” – Sapa