Students stage shutdown at Tshwane college
Students barricaded the entrance to the Tshwane North TVET College with burning tyres and rocks on Monday amid growing calls for management to address their demands.
Among their grievances is the non-payment of allowances and poor infrastructure.
Convener of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in Soshanguve, Thato Monene, says one of the key issues is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).
"Our challenge when we raise issues about Nsfas late payment we are being victimised, we are being expelled, we are being suspended."
According to Monene, several attempts to hold talks with management have failed to bear fruit.
Monene accuses the institution's management of running it into the ground and wants the Department of Higher Education to intervene.
"That institution should be placed under administration," he adds.
"The principal and campus manager…they are part and parcel of the shenanigans that are happening in the school so they cannot be a player and a referee at the same time."
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Nzimande appeared in the Pinetown Magistrates Court on Monday. The prosecutor told the court that a mental assessment by the district surgeon recommended Nzimande be put under psychiatric evaluation for 30 days. Two weeks ago police found the burnt remains of Samkelo Zondi - a fourth-year BCom student - on the varsity's Westville campus.
With exams fast approaching, Monene says it is in the student's best interest to demand a response from management.
"We understand very well that it's time for exams but we can't afford to delay this matter any further."
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