Committee condemns violence accompanying UCT protests
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training condemns the violence accompanying the protests about student housing at the University of Cape Town (UCT) earlier in the week.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Yvonne Phosa, said the Committee understands students’ frustrations and the sensitive nature of the provision of student accommodation throughout the country.
“While we accept that the erection of a shack at UCT’s main campus symbolises the desperation for student accommodation at campuses across the country, violence and damage to property have no place at our campuses. This translates to lawlessness,” Ms Phosa said. “We condemn this latest protest with the strongest contempt it deserves,” she said.
UCT students reportedly belonging to the #RhodesMustFall movement earlier in the week sought to raise what they termed the “preferential treatment of white students” in the provision of student accommodation by erecting a shack on UCT’s main campus. Violence occurred when UCT management made an alternative suggestion for the situation of the shack, among other things, and several students were arrested.
“We appeal to the Department to assist universities to prioritise and speedily address the issue of student accommodation challenges and ensure that residence allocations do not give a perception that white students receive preferential treatment,” Ms Phosa said.
She said the Committee understands that student accommodation has always been an issue in the country as the increased access does not keep up with available residences.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
