Chaos as SRC is dissolved

PANDEMONIUM reigns at the University of Zululand (Unizulu) after 12 members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) were implicated in serious criminal allegations last week. Allegations of theft by student leaders and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters Students’ Command (EFFSC) surfaced last week, leading to the institution dissolving the SRC body. Even though reports are not clear, it is alleged EFFSC leaders looted accessories during their strategic planning trip at Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens on 10 November. According to Unizulu Director of Communications and Marketing, Gcina Nhleko-Mdluli, the student leadership was found unfit to stand office after 12 of the 15 were implicated. ‘An administrator will be appointed from the three members who were not implicated in committing the misconduct. ‘Consultations will be made with the appointed amongst the three and the announcement will be communicated to all students once the process is finalised,’ she said. The EFFSC leadership victoriously took power after winning the student elections in October. Leader Nontobeko Zulu was elected SRC president, along with eight other EFFSC members, who were elected onto the 15-person council. Even though the institution has not laid any criminal charges, according to Zulu they are now seeking legal advice following the institution’s action.

Turmoil continues among student leaders

Since the news of the SRC was made public, student leaders from other political parties voiced strong views on the matter. ‘The actions of the SRC confirm our long standing view that these people are not fit to hold office as they lied to students during their manifesto,’ said a statement from SASCO’s Khulekani Mhlongo Branch. Other students flooded social media and stated their views. ‘Section 33 (1) of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides for a right to administrative action that is procedurally fair. To this effect there are three sources of law that need to be visited. ‘Inasmuch as the university has its own rules and policies it remain subjected to the Constitution and other sources of South African Law and the university failed to live by the spirit of the constitution in issuing suspension letters in a short and unreasonable notice and expected presentation in such notice,’ said Philani Nkambule on the Unizulu Politics Facebook page.