Edgewood official under cloud

Students say ‘short cut’ deal made to avert #FeesMustFall, ensure promotion

THE University of KwaZuluNatal is to probe allegations that a senior official colluded with certain students at the Edgewood campus to avert the #FeesMustFall protests last year in exchange for a “short cut” to qualify earlier than normal for their Bachelor of Education degrees.

This comes after disgruntled students alleged that the official, whose name is known to the Cape Argus’s sister newspaper, the Daily News, had coerced certain influential students to stay away from the strike so he could look good in the hope of receiving a promotion. They said Edgewood did not participate in the protests.

However, student representative council president Xolani Dube said the campus had taken part in the #FeesMustFall campaign and protested peacefully. He said academic programmes were suspended because of it.

Media reports at the time indicated that students had participated in the campaign.

UKZN vice-chancellor Professor Albert van Jaarsveld said he was aware of the allegations. “We can’t comment at this stage, but the university views them very seriously and there’ll be an investigation.”

The students, who requested anonymity for fear of being targeted, said 37 were set to graduate next month despite not meeting the requirements of studying a minimum of eight semesters (four years) to qualify for a BEd.

They claimed some of the students, after