The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, is saddened by the news that the gruesome attack on students at Phuthaditjhaba did not only claim the lives of two students from the University of Free State.
This tragic incident also claimed the life of Vukani Zikalala, who was a student at the Itemoheleng Campus of the Maluti TVET College. Vukani was staying in the same private accommodation with the other two students of the Free State University who were also attacked and killed by unknown assailants who demanded cash, laptops and cellphones.
Minister Nzimande urges members of the community with any information that might to lead to the successful arrest and convictions of these assailants to contact the Phuthaditjhaba Detective Service, Colonel Morena Motloung at 082 479 3313 and Captain
Boy Makubu at 082 332 3418 or crime stop 0860010111.
Minister Nzimande further urges both the University of Free State and the Maluti TVET College to continue provide the necessary support and comfort to the affected students and their families.
Minister Nzimande says that whilst government commits to stop at nothing to provide a conducive and safe learning environment that promotes access and success for students, he appeals for more cooperation between institutions of higher learning and communities to ensure the students safety.
“Safety is a collective responsibility and if ignored, can have fatal ramifications. This is the reason why we developed guidelines for the Department of Higher Education and Training Bursary Scheme for students in our public institutions,” said Minister Nzimande.
The Minister further said through these guidelines universities were directed to accredit private providers of student accommodation and to monitor the quality of accommodation provision to students living off campus, wherever possible.
“Subject to a system of formal registration and verification, institutions are expected to develop a system that is implementable within the framework of the Guidelines, which recognises the need for improved checks and balances for private lease agreements that are in line with university policies,” emphasised the Minister.
The Minister said in response to the student accommodation challenge, the department is in an advanced stage in the development of a Comprehensive Student Accommodation Strategy to cover all aspects of student accommodation, which includes institution-owned accommodation and private student accommodation with all its models.
“In order to further deal with the challenges of the safety of our students in communities, at the height of gender-based violence meted against women students and community members, I appealed to our institutions of higher learning to establish safety forums which will ensure the safety of both students and the communities,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said these forums should amongst others comprise of representatives from community safety forums, civil society formations, faith-based formations and traditional authorities and business.
Minister Nzimande once more passes his deepest condolences to the families, friends, students and management of the University of Free State and the Maluti TVET College on the tragic deaths of all these students.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 037 8859
Minister Blade Nzimande on reported death of another student linked to Phuthaditjhaba shooting
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