Students tackle their living space

ACADEMIC programmes at Walter Sisulu University’s Chiselhurst site in East London were briefly interrupted by a student protest yesterday morning.

The action, which had been brewing since last week, is in protest against poor conditions at their residences.

University authorities declared the protest illegal, which SRC secretary Sam Mqayi described as “selfish and ambitious”.

“[Righting] the conditions that students find themselves in cannot be postponed,” Mqayi said.

“The living conditions of thousands of paying students are disgusting. [Protests] cannot be postponed in order for a few people to go and have a bash on Friday. That site will remain closed until the mass meeting on Tuesday.”

Some protesters, who did not want to be named for fear of victimisation, accused the SRC of calling off the action as they wanted to have a party at the weekend.

The newly-appointed East London SRC is divided on the matter but classes remained suspended for the day.

Last year the university was faced with violent protests over substandard accommodation which saw the arrest of 51 students.

Yesterday the Daily Dispatch visited a residence, the former Amathole municipality offices.

Each floor has an average of 50 students who must use one toilet.

There is no kitchen. Students cook food in their rooms. — simthandilef@dispatch.co.za