STUDENT PROTESTS AT UNIVERSITIES RUN UP R300 MILLION IN DAMAGES

Protesters arrive during a protest over planned increases in tuition fees outside the Union building in Pretoria, October 23, 2015. South African police fired stun grenades and used water cannon on Friday to douse fires lit by students protesting on the grounds of the buildings where President Jacob Zuma has his offices, a Reuters witness said. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko - RTS5UEQ

Posted By: Admin April 12, 2016

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail

During the 2015/2016 financial year, universities have seen a wave of student protests.

A lecture hall at Wits University has been set alight allegedly by students who have been protesting over fees. Picture: Kgothatso Mogale/EWN.
FILE: A lecture hall at Wits University was set alight allegedly by students who had been protesting over fees. Picture: Kgothatso Mogale/EWN.
Dineo Bendile | about 4 hours ago

JOHANNESBURG – The Higher Education Department says student protests have caused damage to property amounting to more than R300 million.

The department says the consolidated figure excludes four other universities, which are yet to quantify the damage caused to their property.

During the 2015/2016 financial year, universities have seen a wave of student protests over a variety of concerns including fees, outsourcing and accommodation.

In a statement, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says he is astounded by the extent of the damage caused to property during the 2015/2016 financial year.

The North West University’s Mafikeng campus has sustained the most damage, and will require R151 million to repair.

In February, an administration building as well as a portion of a residence block were set alight at the height of student protests at the institution.

Other universities that have sustained extensive damage include the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of the Western Cape and the Tshwane University of Technology.

Nzimande says his department is concerned about a certain grouping among students who are use violence and damage to property to exploit genuine student movements.

WATCH: Varsity students gather at Wits to reignite #FeesMustFall Movement

 

http://ewn.co.za/2016/04/12/Student-protests-at-universities-run-up-R300-million-in-damages

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedinmail