Nursing students demand HOD’s removal

NURSING students at University of Fort Hare (UFH) have demanded that the acting head of the department be permanently removed, accusing her of prejudice.

The more than 300 students have accused Ntombana Rala, acting head of nursing science, of threatening to fail them, mistreating them and being manipulative.

The nursing students at the unive East London campus embarked on a protest this week and vowed to disrupt classes until she was removed.

Student Nyameko Dyasi, who chairs the nursing student council (NSC), said they had previously protested over the acting head.

“We called for her removal back when she was still a lecturer. We reported her to the university and were told the matter was being investigated but instead of removing her the university promoted her. The university failed us.”

Dyasi claimed that although Rala no longer lectures she still “flexes her muscle to show who’s boss”.

“This week, even though it was not within her jurisdiction, she threatened to suspend all the nursing students who had not completed their clinical and attendance hours by August 11,” said Dyasi.

The students said at least three of their leaders had been suspended since the protest started on Monday.

UFH spokesman Khotso Moabi said some protesting students had destroyed university property and intimidated other students.

Moabi disputed claims that some student leaders had been suspended.

Moabi said the university had instructed the dean and department of nursing science to review the leadership arrangements to achieve an amicable solution. —