UWC disruptions condemned

UWC Alumni have strongly condemned the actions of a group of “rogue elements” who are being blamed for a wave of destructive protests at the university.

The university alumni – many of whom played a major role in protests during the 1970s and ’80s to campaign against apartheid – view the violence by the protesters as an attack on the stalwarts’ fight for democracy.

UWC alumni spokesperson Joe Samuels said: “The move towards a more just and equitable society including a transformed education and train- ing system started during our historic liberation struggles (at UWC).

“We would like to express our strongest condemnation for the aggressive and destructive forms of protest at UWC.”

Throughout the past week, university property has been vandalised and looted, including vice-chancellor Tyrone Pretorius’s office.

At the weekend, the notorious Vetus Schola strike force security guards were deployed to deal with protesters.

The Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) – consisting of the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League and the SA Students Congress – has blamed “rogue factions” within the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (Pasma), EFF Student Command and Aluta UWC.

“These criminals started a scourge of vandalism of university property,” said PYA’s Siyabulela Tom.

Pasma chairperson Athabile Nonxuba said the movement had joined the #FeesMustFall campaign to support students. “We are taking on the State, which is the ANC,” adding the accusations levelled at them are done because the student alliance is rooted in the ANC.