Blocked students send motivations

MORE than 20 students who were part of the #FeesMustFall protests at the University of Pretoria have submitted letters explaining why they should be allowed to register for the 2017 academic year.

The university had blocked certain #FeesMustFall activists, who face criminal charges, from registering for the 2017 academic year unless they provided letters motivating why they should be accepted back at the institution. The university also wanted written assurance that the students would not disrupt the institution this year.

Several students from the university were arrested during last year’s fees protests, on charges ranging from inciting public violence to destruction of property.

University spokesperson Candice Jooste said the majority of students who submitted the letters had already been unblocked and allowed to register.

“More than 20 students either made submissions to the university or personally engaged with the university management. This is not a punitive process, and the university will continue to accept submissions and engage with students,” she said.

The deadline for the response from students was yesterday. Jooste said there were no disruptions, even after the initial deadline.

South African Union of Students general secretary Sthembiso Ndlovu said the union would shut down the university only if the implicated students are not allowed to register.

“We are waiting up until the registration closes. If those students will not be registered, we will definitely shut down the University of Pretoria.” – ANA