DA to submit parliamentary questions on student security

13 August 2014

I will be submitting parliamentary questions to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, to determine what measures have been put in place, or which are being planned, in order to protect students who are being intimidated and prevented from attending lectures by violent strike action. 

This follows reports of the ongoing violent strike action at Medunsa's Ga-Rankuwa campus in Limpopo, which has resulted in many students at different levels of study being turned away from classes and being prevented from attending important lectures.

The strike action, which began on the 6th of August, forced students off of campus and out of lectures. Students were assured that classes would resume on Monday, yet this was postponed to yesterday and there are still reports today of students being told not to come to class. This is completely unacceptable at an institution tasked with educating the future professionals of our country. This is the second university to suffer such a crisis in the past month. Just two weeks ago the University of Fort Hare also closed briefly, denying students vital access to lectures and facilities, due to violent strike action.

While students have a right to demonstrate, this must not limit the rights of others to an education.

The Minister must ensure that students who are not participating in strike action, are ensured a safe environment to learn. 

Furthermore, the root of strike action at the country's tertiary institutions must be resolved in order to prevent further disruptions. This recent strike action points to the fact that our Higher Education system suffers from endemic and systemic problems which are likely to get worse over time rather than better. The Minister must address these problems, namely:

A failure to increase capacity in the light of rapidly increasing student numbers;

Irregularities regarding the payment of student financial aid which interferes with student access to courses and facilities;

The inability of university managements to deal with student issues firmly and decisively; and

An often violent and intransigent SRC culture which must be condemned.

It is essential that students in our country are afforded a safe and secure environment in which to further their education and training regardless of campus strike action or student protest. The DA will continue to hold the executive to account regarding this matter in order to ensure consistent and quality tertiary education for all South Africans. 

Statement issued by Belinda Bozzoli MP, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education and Training, August 13 2014

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