Photo: Wits Vuvuzela / Twitter
Photo: Wits Vuvuzela / Twitter
Things are getting heated at Wits University. The Johanesburg-based facility has been the scene of mass protests throughout Wednesday, but senior figures at the institution have taken huge swipes at the Student Representative Council, and even went as far as to say they ‘aren’t genuine’ in their concerns.
Things kicked off earlier this morning when students and police officers traded blows on the streets. Protesters then marched to the main campus at Braamfontein, forcing their way into the Great Hall for a sit-down demonstration.
Why are Wits University students protesting?
There have been further angry confrontations with officials in the afternoon, as the youngsters campaign against homelessness and a lack of campus accommodation for their classmates.
Outgoing Chancellor Adam Habib was the first to criticise the gathering. He says that the protesters are twisting the story completely, and claims the only students rejected from housing are one who’ve failed more than twice:
“What you’re not being told is that the vast majority of students who have problems with accommodation lost their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursaries – because they failed more than two times. The university can’t pay for their accommodation when there isn’t enough money for paying students.”
Adam Habib
Watch Wits students force their way past security officers here:
Students have forcefully broken into Solomon Mahlangu House #VowFmNews pic.twitter.com/GRc3nc4I7g
— Kamogelo Tinyiko (@KamoTinyiko) March 4, 2020
EARLIER: Protesting Wits students force their way pass private security guards stationed at the Great Hall. The group is protesting over lack of accommodation. #WitsProtest pic.twitter.com/p1llFksyGb
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) March 4, 2020
University slam their Student Representative Council
Elsewhere, the university has published an official statement presenting their side of the story. Also questioning the validity of claims made by the SRC, Wits have defended themselves by revealing 850 students are being supported by the Hardship Fund, which has allegedly put millions towards solving the accommodation crisis.
“Our management is disappointed with the students. Wits released R17 million to the Hardship Fund to support those in need of accommodation. To date, 800 students have been helped. Another 50 are being helped this morning as more beds from a private service provider have become available.”
“Despite the Student Representative Council (SRC) breaking this agreement, the Dean of Students Jerome Seppie is still willing to engage in order to resolve any further issues. It is now up to the SRC to show leadership in this regard.”
Wits official statement
?(1 of 3) STATEMENT: @WitsUniversity’s management is disappointed with the @Wits_SRC who have broken the agreement signed on 10 Feb. Wits released R17 million to the Wits Hardship fund to support those facing hardship and those in need of accommodation. See attached agreement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/W9Wy6e0WVA
— Wits University (@WitsUniversity) March 4, 2020
