‘I disagree with the way they are protesting’

Fees Must Fall is the most talked about subject on campuses at the moment.

The Independent on Saturday spoke to non-protesting students to find out how they feel.

Adeshnie Naicker said that while students have the right to protest, these rights are subject to non-violence and should be limited when they breach others’ rights.

“In exercising the right to protest, the protesters have used excessive forces of violence which ranged from breaking windows and manhandling students who weren’t part of the protest, to burning down of portions of property.

“The manner in which their ‘rights’ were exercised breached the non-protesting students’ right to attend university with freedom, safety and security, as well as receive the education which many have already paid for.”

“As mentioned, our law library was burned down and damage is estimated at R3 million… we are unable to obtain second copies of many books contained in that library, therefore we are greatly disadvantaged.”

Naicker is glad students are passionate about making a difference for themselves and future generations, and that they recognise their right to be afforded an education, however she is deeply distressed with the manner in which they have taken to it.

“They have contradicted everything they began fighting for. In trying to achieve free education, they’ve actually incurred more cost to government and the university and also destroyed the very place at which they want to study,” said Naicker.

The fourth year LLB student says she feels discouraged having their library and essential materials destroyed so close to the end of her degree, “but I am striving to cover up and make good use of the ‘safe’ days we have to attend campus”.

A fourth-year law student from UKZN Howard College, who wishes to remain anonymous, has mixed feeling about the demonstrations.

“I feel that it is the correct approach. I don’t agree with the violence, but I do agree with the peaceful marches that they first engaged in.

“The violence started when SAPS were brought in, violence was initiated by security and not the students.

“I personally don’t feel that it was the students who were responsible for the burning of the law library because I find it very difficult to believe that at a campus covered by campus security and private security, that students were able to get by, undetected, and set the building alight.”

The 22-year-old is worried about his studies.

“With all these disruptions, we are now in danger of not completing the semester, this would have an adverse affect on me in particular as this is my final semester and will prevent me from graduating on time.

Another student from another faculty who also wishes to remain anonymous puts the blame on the police.

“I feel that as a UKZN student, just because you are not a part of the protest doesn’t mean that you don’t fully stand behind your fellow students.

“I am not part of the protest action due to the destruction of property by students as well as non-students. Another reason I am not involved directly in the protest action is due to police brutality against students” said the 22-yearold psychology honours student.

“We are from a country where protest action brought about social and political change. If it wasn’t for protest action, institutionalised racism would still be rife in this country. Unfortunately this has given people the pre-conceived notion that you will only be heard once you make a stand together and protest. Although I stand behind my fellow students and support them I do not condone violence or destruction of property.”

“This has gotten in the way of me completing my honours degree by year end. We’re usually done with exams by November and now they will only start in December.”

“The university stated that it was safe to be on campus and that everything was under control yet the environment wasn’t conducive and was a threat to our health and safety,” she said.