Pair tell of living as squatters on campus

THE harrowing student accommodation shortage at Wits University was highlighted by two students who have endured the shame of sleeping in a library and computer laboratory on campus.

The families of third-year BSc student Karabo Chabangu* and fourthyear BEd student Thabo Masondo*, who were forced to resort to the inhumane living conditions, have no idea that they have been squatting in these facilities of the university.

This comes as the protests over a lack of accommodation and historical debt raged for the fourth day at the university yesterday.

The students are demanding that fellow students who owe R100 000 or less in fees be allowed to register.

They also want the university to resolve the accommodation issue.

In response to the demand for assistance with accommodation, the university management issued a statement in which it said the beds on its campuses had increased to 6 700 beds, and that they were working with the government to find a long-term solution.

“Any possible barriers to Wits’ residences for the students from poor and working-class families who meet the residences admission criteria have been removed,” said the statement.

Chabangu, however, said he has been squatting at the Commerce, Law and Management Library on the university’s West Campus since January 14, when he returned to register. The library was open to students day and night.

“I wouldn’t say I’m homeless because I found a home in the library,” Chabangu said. “Wherever I’m studying is where I’m sleeping.”

Masondo said he had been squatting at the library and in different offices since 2015.

“I used to squat in the libraries. Before it was so packed, so we used to squat at the Ernest Oppenheimer Hall, which was a place where many people were squatting because all students have access to it,” said Masondo.

According to Chabangu, many students slept in the libraries.

“I’d find that I’m sleeping at one place and there’s someone sleeping right next to me,” he said.

The student added that others who were trying to study found it difficult to concentrate.

“Do you know how difficult it is to study next to someone who is sleeping?” he asked. “You tend to fall asleep too.”

After a harrowing night in the libraries and laboratories, both of the students have the challenge of finding a place to shower and freshen up for the new day.

The pair said they used the university gyms to shower in the morning.

However, the gyms only opened at 8am and the first lectures of the day began at the same time. “I always miss my first class,” revealed Chabangu. “To focus and concentrate, I need to freshen up to start the day.”

Wits Dean of Student Affairs Jerome September urged any student who required urgent accommodation to send applications and present themselves for an assessment interview.

“Beds are limited and we are doing all that we can to assist those in dire need,” he said.

* Not their real names