PHUTI MOSOMANE
FOLLOWING the suspension of Wits University student representative (SRC) President, Aphiwe Mnyamana, a group of students continue to hold protest on university campus.
On Tuesday, protesting university students moved from campus to campus in small groups, singing and holding placards about their challenges including financial exclusion.
Visibly tired, a handful of students gathered in the morning outside Wits Great Hall, but the numbers increased by 12 midday on Tuesday.
Members of the Nehawu’s Bheki Mkhize branch joined the protesting students who vowed to continue the fight until their demands are met.
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) raised concern over the suspension of Mnyamana.
“A team will be sent to Wits University for talks with the management while the protest continues,” SAUS President Yandisa Ndzoyiya said.
On Sunday, the university slammed protesting students for camping outside the Vice-Chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi’s home in Johannesburg.
“Homeless students in need of accommodation have decided to peacefully sleep outside the Vice Chancellor’s house in a bid to demonstrate the state of hopelessness and how dire the situation is,” Wits SRC tweeted pictures of desperate students at midnight on Sunday.
This prompted Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Chairperson Enerst Khoza to meet SRC leaders in Monday.
Later on the same day, the university confirmed the suspension of Mnyamana.
“We refer to Mr Aphiwe Mnyamana’s tweet posted at 20:31 tonight and confirm that Mr Mnyamana was suspended on 6 March 2023. He failed to appear at a suspension hearing scheduled today despite having been provided with ample opportunity to make representations at such hearing,” Wits management said in a statement.
It said the allegations against Mnyamana are of a serious nature and relate to conduct that infringed on the rights of others, resulted in damage to property, and the intimidation of members of the University community, amongst other things.
“He will not be allowed to access any of Wits’ precincts, participate in university activities and engage in conduct which constitutes “student privileges”, and will not be allowed to stay in Wits’ residences until the legal process is finalised,” it added.
But Mnyamana remains adamant that as soon as he secures the services of a legal representative, he will announce his next decision in light of the suspension.
He said wanted to be represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu who, by Tuesday morning was still in Parliament representing suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Wits Student Forum (WSF) condemned the suspension of Mnyamana.
“Wits Student Forum strongly condemn the suspension and single outing of the SRC President, and it warrants intimidation and constitute scare tactics by the University Senior Management towards student leaders,” said Student Forum Chairperson Lungile Magagula.
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