George campus hit by protests
Situation at NMMU campuses in PE returns to normal
WHILE normality returned to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) campuses in Port Elizabeth yesterday, its George campus was hit by an unexpected protest.
Since Tuesday, the Port Elizabeth campus of the university has been rocked by protests demanding free tertiary education.
The protests came as students and universities across South Africa as well as the SA Union of Students await feedback from government regarding possible fee increases for next year.
NMMU spokeswoman Zandile Mbabela said entrances had been blocked and no lectures had taken place at the George campus yesterday.
Student Representative Council president Nicholas Nyathi said he had been in touch with a student at the George campus and would be heading to the campus next week to speak to students about various issues.
He said the George protest was not just about the call for free education.
“We have a chairperson there and he was saying that some students are trying to have a shutdown,” he said.
“There is a range of issues affecting the campus and the last time I was there students raised issues of racism and transformation. I will be heading to George to hear what the issues are.”
Nyathi said while the protests at NMMU’s Port Elizabeth campuses had ended, he was waiting to hear how the university would deal with the students leading the shutdown.
“There were many students who were not part of the shutdown and who were victimised by those who were. Anyone who blocks entrance to any student should be sent for a disciplinary hearing, so I am waiting to hear whether this will happen.”
Mbabela said lectures and related activities had resumed yesterday and any tests that should have been written on Tuesday and Wednesday would be rescheduled in consultation with lecturers next term.
She said those scheduled to write tests yesterday or today could write the test or choose to write on an alternative date next term.
“Similarly, those who were scheduled to hand in assignments between August 23 and 26 may do so from now until the first day of the new term. Planning is under way to ensure that the time lost over the last two days is recovered before the end of the year.”
On yesterday’s George protest, she said: “Academic activities were suspended at George . . . Management has been engaging students, who have not yet presented their list of demands. These negotiations are set to continue.”