As many universities in South Africa have welcomed the 0% increase, a number of students are still unhappy after the idea that #FeesMustFall sparked a nation-wide idealistic notion that could become a reality. Because of this, students at the University of the Western Cape are intimidating non-protesting students into standing their ground until demands can be met. Their means of intimidation include wearing balaclava’s and arming themselves with sjamboks. UWC decided to cease operations at the campus until further notice.
[On Monday morning] the protesters went to the library and other buildings where students are preparing for exams. Students are uneasy as some want to study, but the group is harassing them. It’s difficult.
Along with the demand for free education, UWC students are also requesting the renaming of the university’s Life Sciences Building to Steve Biko House and free student cards. The university – unlike UCT – will not be taking out an interdict against the protestors and it is yet to be decided on when students will be writing their exams:
While police have been in the streets outside the university, we have not called them onto the campus and no interdict has been taken out against the protesters.
The UWC SRC has slammed the actions as wrong, stating that the victimising and intimidation will not assist the cause, as this will limit the time-frame of graduating students, diminishing access for new students.
We reiterated our position that the university programme must continue… the whole point now is to get the academic programme to continue.
UCT students have also continued protesting, standing in solidarity with the universities’ workers in a call to end outsourcing.
[source: news24]
