Stones fly at city varsity as student protests continue

THE POLICE have not been able to confirm any arrests following reports of stones being hurled on the main campus at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley on Tuesday.

Students stated that they would be pursuing their demands and would not back down.

The director of institutional advancement in the Office of the Vice-chancellor, Qondakele Sompondo, said online teaching and learning was currently taking place.

He stated that the senior management team met with the student representative council (SRC), where they had informed them that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowance payment system was changed from a university administered process to a central process administered by NSFAS itself, through appointed service providers.

“The process change was not within the control of the university. The university has done an analysis of the cases brought to their attention by the SRC of students that have challenges with NSFAS. Overall, a total of 2,598 NSFAS students were paid through the NSFAS appointed service provider by July 14,” said Sompondo.

He indicated that according to a list that was submitted to the department of student affairs by the SRC, 107 SPU students were defunded as a result of the implementation of the direct payment system.

“The finance department conducted a thorough analysis on each of the cases submitted and found that most students on the listing received from the SRC were unfunded for valid reasons or were never eligible for NSFAS funding. As such, this is not a result of the implementation of the direct payment process.”

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Sompondo added that, through the Office of the Dean of Students, they had engaged with landlords to accommodate students at a lower rental rate.

“The students are paying rent up to a maximum of R2,000 per month. Students facing eviction should contact the Accredited Off-Campus Accommodation (AOCA) office for assistance.”

He stated that the Office of the Dean of Students has sourced accommodation for 40 beds for students who were defunded.

“Students will be afforded the opportunity to be accommodated at 4-8 Old De Beers Road until their issues with NSFAS have been resolved. This arrangement will be for the account of the student.”

Sompondo advised students facing registration hurdles to contact NSFAS directly.

“The Financial Aid Office is able to steer students to the correct avenue for resolution of these issues, but are unfortunately not in a position to resolve the enquiries.”

He said the university had made provision to assist registered unfunded students that were destitute, to access food in the dining halls.

“This arrangement will be billed to the account of the student. Deserving students must contact the Office of the Dean of Students.”

Sompondo added that the appointment of a nurse without a dispensing licence was currently with the Commission on Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Office of the Public Protector.

“In the meantime, the university cannot engage or comment on this matter as any commentary may potentially infringe on the rights of third parties. The vice-chancellor will prepare a formal response to the SRC in this regard. The vice-chancellor previously advised the SRC that they should not pronounce on management matters such as employment relations.”

He indicated that while SPU supported the right to peaceful protests and was committed to listening to all student grievances, it strongly condemned any acts of intimidation, violence and damage to university property.