Tensions ease at TVET campuses after unrest

The two-week student unrest at the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College appears to be dying down as stability is being restored and classes are starting to resume.

But a senior student who was shot in the leg is still in hospital.

On Wednesday, the college management finally commented on the crisis, which has disrupted teaching and learning and put the safety of staff and students at risk.

Protests took place on two of the college’s seven campuses, Zimbane and Mthatha.

Students at the Ntabozuko campus in Elliotdale tried to join the action on Wednesday, but security officials quickly intervened.

There are reports that some classes resumed at Zimbane, according to acting college principal Lulama Mswana, before a meeting between management and students resumed.

“Matters raised were NSFAS and TVS that are not working on the Mthatha campus,” Mswana said.

“Fortunately, this morning I’ve been told about 80% of our students have received their NSFAS payments.

“Management, the SRC and political formations are meeting today to pave the way forward.

“The outcome of today’s [Wednesday’s] meeting will determine the date to resume classes.”

He said the unrest started on April 10 on the Mthatha and Zimbane campuses.

“They assembled at Mthatha. [I] addressed them and they didn’t listen, they started singing, started a fire with plastic and dustbins ... they stoned two administration blocks.”

Mswana’s claim was disputed by Mthatha campus SRC chair Xolisa Cebiso.

“We were never violent. Our protest was peaceful and nonprovocative and no college property was damaged.”

On Friday, students marched to the home of Abathembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, asking him to intervene and arrange for them to be allowed back into their hostels after they were evicted during the unrest.

Mswana said: “He took them back to the hostels and assured management that he had spoken to them about their behaviour.

“The king assured management that he supported calmness so that teaching and learning were not compromised.

“On Monday, management met unions, and all agreed that teaching and learning must go on.”

Mswana confirmed delayed NSFAS allowances and broken TVS were seen as major issues.

Abongile Mavuka, 30, one of five students injured on April 10, is the only one who is still in hospital.

The civil engineering student was admitted to Bedford Orthopaedic Hospital with injuries to his right knee.

Provincial health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said: “Doctors concluded that he was not hit by live ammunition.

“The wounds were caused by another object or a rubber bullet that hit him on the side of the knee.”

Cebiso and other SRC leaders could not comment as they were locked in meetings with management.