Security firms to account for student protests
new democracy,” she said.
The National Student Movement said it was concerned that staff working for private security companies are not properly trained to deal with protests.
It called on higher education minister Naledi Pandor to ensure that students are able to fully realise the government’s promise of free higher education for those from poor and working-class families, saying that a year after that policy was implemented students are still fighting against financial exclusion.
The UDM’s youth movement called on Pandor to intervene in the protests at other institutions before the situation deteriorated. “The DUT fatal shooting is one of many incidents propelled by the lack of urgency displayed by the education department and government in resolving, not just issues at institutions of learning, but service delivery in our society at large,” it said.
Pandor issued a statement expressing dismay at the death of Madonsela.
She said she would comment further once the investigation was completed but urged university management to exert every effort to resolve student concerns.
Pandor repeated that the ministry and the department are ready to assist institutions.
Earlier this week, the minister urged students to focus on their studies and resist calls to shut down university campuses, warning that severe disruption to the academic programme could jeopardise their chances of graduating.