SA students in Russia facing eviction and expulsion over non-payment

Over 200 South African students studying in Russia are facing eviction from their hostels and expulsion from institutions due to non-payment by the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

Several students who risk losing 5 to 7 years of their lives have not been paid their stipends and were kicked out of hostels because landlords have also not been paid for months.

SA STUDENTS IN RUSSIA ‘SUFFERING’

The Mpumalanga Department of Education has contracts with over 200 South Africans that were awarded full bursaries to study.  

Majority of the South Africans reportedly come from  poor households and were placed in Russia under the guidance of a company called Ruckus which was awarded a contract to place and manage the students.

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According to civil society movement We are South Africans, the Mpumalanga Department of Education cancelled a contract with an implementation agent called Green Tutu trading as RACUS which was tasked with the placement of students to various institutions citing it as expensive. However, the contract reportedly expired in March 2022.

Some of the students who have not yet been evicted have been given until Monday 10 October to pay accommodation fees or face being evicted.

MPUMALANGA DEPT OF EDUCATION RESPONDS

The department’s spokesperson, Jasper Zwane confirmed that there are 229 students who are furthering their studies in various fields of study such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, Engineering ,Aeronautical  Science, Cyber security and IT in the Federal Republic of Russia.

The students are fully funded by the Mpumalanga Department of Education as part of the Provincial Human Resource Development Strategy and 67 of these students are expected to complete their studies in June 2023.

Zwane said they have been able to process  the monthly stipend for all students except for 15 whose banking details were not fully operational and other options are currently being explored to resolve the matter.

“There are 68 students who have already graduated this year and were brought back to the country in  September  2022. The challenge that the Department is currently addressing is about the payment of accommodation and tuition fees. This is expected to be concluded by 14 October 2022 as required by Russian Universities.”

Jasper Zwane

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