Six injured in registration rush

Six students were injured in a stampede to register for free tuition at the Capricorn technical college on Thursday, the first sign of trouble since President Jacob Zuma announced a much criticised education plan.

Zuma said last month the government would bankroll university tuition for poor and working-class households, without giving details on how the plan would be funded and despite a government report and Treasury warning that it was probably unaffordable.

One man was seriously injured and five others hurt at the college in Polokwane as people forced the gates to gain entry to the campus, the police said. The college has suspended registration until Monday.

“There were scores of these applicants, so the campus security decided to open the gates and, because of the numbers, a stampede then ensued,” said police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

“The number [of applicants] was extremely larger than usual. There was no way the campus security could manage those crowds.”

Zuma’s announcement in December, days before stepping down as leader of the governing ANC, rattled financial markets and drew criticism from civil society and student groups for its lack of details on funding.

His opponents say it was a reckless, populist promise aimed at clawing back waning public support.

A number of universities have banned walk-in registrations fearing the announcement of free fees would trigger a large influx of applications for limited spaces, but since the beginning of the week hundreds have flocked to campuses. of students have flocked to campuses in the hope of being admitted