18 April 2009

The IFP-aligned South African Democratic Students Organisation (SADESMO) has charged the University of KwaZulu-Natal with capitulation to the African National Congress. Sadesmo made this accusation in a statement issued today, following UKZN giving a go-ahead to the African National Congress rally scheduled for tomorrow at the same institution, while the same institution turned down a similar Sadesmo rally two weeks ago.  

In a strongly-worded statement, Sadesmo's Edgewood Campus Secretary-General Sandile Mbhense said:

"SADESMO is outraged that an institution supposed to be the bastion of democracy has played double-standards and capitulated to the ruling ANC. 

"About two weeks ago we applied to the university for a permission to hold a similar election rally in the Edgewood Campus of the University.

The university however turned down our request, basing their refusal on the following "special election rules:"

"Clause 2.2.1 any political organization may hold a meeting pertaining to the elections provided that:

2.2.3 The said meeting is for the purpose of addressing the University community only

 2.2.4 The organization shall not advertise the said meeting off campus" 

'We however have documentary evidence to the effect that the same university has allowed the ANC to go ahead with their Sunday (19/04) rally. Even more repugnant, is the fact that they have allowed the ANC rally despite the fact that the ANC began preparations and advertised their rally without first informing the university.  

"In a letter addressed to us the university attached a letter they have forwarded to the ANC, in which the University's Executive Director of Physical Planning, Mr. Charles Poole said: 'Further to our discussions, I hereby record that the University has been confronted with a fait accompli; the event has already been advertised publicly in Newspapers and elsewhere, you have put in place logistics and the University has not been informed nor been given the opportunity to consider giving due authorization.' 

"Yet the same University gives the ANC a go-ahead. This is blatant double-standard and capitulation by the university to the ANC, which we detest as Sadesmo. And we demand that the university must act to protect its reputation by standing up to ANC bully tactics. Otherwise it must stop referring to itself as an impartial institution of higher learning. 

In the meantime, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary of the IFP, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi has written a letter of complaint to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, in which he stated:

'The IFP KZN Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) hereby wishes to lodge an official complaint to the University of KwaZulu-Natal for playing double standards pertaining to the matter of the ANC rally which will be held at Edgewood campus of the UKZN.' The University is yet to respond to the IFP."  

For Further Information:
Sandile Mbhense
SADESMO Secretary-General: Edgewood Campus                
076 291 8147

Note to Editors:

Kindly find attached herewith copies of:
a)    SADESMO's communication with the UKZN
b)    KZN IFP Secretary's Letter of Complaint to the UKZN      
 

From: Sandile Mbhense [206506005@ukzn.ac.za]
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 4:14 PM
To: mazibukoj@kznlegislature.gov.za

Subject: Fwd: Re: Urgent: ANC RALLY 

>>> Fred Laskey 2009/04/17 10:59 AM >>>

Dear Sandile Thanks for your e-mail.  Apologies for the delay in responding to this matter. I fully agree with the content of your e-mail and you are quite right by saying that the correct channels for approval had not been followed.  The event was advertised without the university giving its consent.   Below is the response from the Executive Director Mr. Charles Pool with regards to this event.
Regards
Fred Laskey

Dear Mr Phakati

Further to our discussions I hereby record that the University has been confronted with a fait accompli; the event has already been advertised publicly in Newspapers and elsewhere, you have already put in place logistics and the University has not been informed  nor been given the opportunity to consider giving  due authorisation. I am therefore in no position to now consider the matter, you and the organisers have taken the matter out of the University's hands!  I must therefore be put on record that this is an unauthorised event for which you and the other organisers are entirely responsible.  I have asked through Mr Fihlela, that RMS do the best they can to limit or mitigate any possible risks.

Please take note that I am willing to work with the student structures and anxious that we make progress in furthering the mission and goals of the University.  This however must be done from a basis mutual respect, understanding and in line with the policies and due process in the interest of all.  I am hopeful for everyone's sake that this unauthorised event goes off without incident.  

Regards
Charles
Charles Poole
Executive Director Physical Planning and Operations
Room 112
Administration Building
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University Road
Chiltern Hills
Westville
3629

Tel: +27(0)31 260 2881
Fax:+27(0)31 260 8221

E-Mail: poolec@ukzn.ac.za

>>> Sandile Mbhense 2009/04/15 08:59 PM >>>

Dear Sir
It has come to our attention that ANC will be holding a rally here in Edgewood on Sunday(19 April 2009) which is unpalatable to us SADESMO because we were to host the same rally ,but the SPECIAL ELECTORIAL RULES were the stumbling block that hindered our rally. On the same token we(SADESMO) will be glad if this upcoming rally will be crossed out as per the ELECTORAL SPECIAL RULES 2009 (applicable from 15 March-22 April 2009) as follows: "No advertising of meetings to be held on any campus pertaining to the elections, shall take place off that University campus "But unfortunately the posters for this event are all Pinetown and Umlazi just to count the areas. SADESMO would like the security of the University to intervene because now ANC has pasted their posters on walls of the University which is against the policy concerning political and election posters as follows: "No posters or notices shall be placed on or attached to walls pavements, floors, ceilings, pillars, doors, windows, furniture or railings" To our understanding any political organisation may have a meeting pertaining to elections, provided that: The said meeting is for the purpose of addressing the University community only.  Lastly, our campus now is scruffy just because they have affixed stickers on the walls of the institution, this is also against the SPECIAL ELECTORIAL RULES 2009 stating "No stickers shall be affixed to any University property" We shall be glad if you would respond as soon as you read this message 
UKZN-Edgewood Campus SADESMO -GENERAL SECRETARY
Mobile:(076) 291-8147

From: Sandile Mbhense [206506005@ukzn.ac.za]
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 4:52 PM
To: mazibukoj@kznlegislature.gov.za

Subject: Fwd: Re: SADESMO RALLY 

>>> Sandile Mbhense 2009/04/01 09:13 AM >>> 

>>> Gill Manion 2009/03/31 05:20 PM >>>

Dear Fred
Thanks for assisting these students. Yes, Glynis should please provide us with any requests received and whether or not the venue is available. provisional bookings can be made in the interim until there is a response from Mr Poole. There is just this one additional step required between now and 22 April
Regards gill

>>> Fred Laskey 2009/03/31 04:58 PM >>>

Dear Gill
I met with the students and Naren was present as well. A copy of Mr. Poole's communique was given to them and they understand  the procedure involved.They will either try and have the meeting off campus tomorrow or reschedule the event once back from easter vac. Should Glynis consult with your office for any future booking of this nature if Mr Poole has to know about  and approve it?
Regards Fred

>>> Gill Manion 2009/03/31 04:49 PM >>>

Dear Sandile
Further to John's email to you below regarding the actual venue, there is an additional step required in the application for this type of event. Given that your email arrived at 15:56 today for an event tomorrow, I very much doubt the event will be approved in time. I would suggest you make contingency plans for this, i.e. consider another date

GLYNIS/FRED/NARAN: this event cannot take place until the Executive Director Physical Planning and Operations, Mr C Poole has authorised it.

Regards Gill 

>>> Time Tables 2009/03/31 04:15 PM >>>

Hi Sandile
The Time Tables office does not book the Dining Hall at Edgewood Campus - please contact Glynis Frara at Student Housing (tel. 031 260 3425). Please take note of the special requirements for venue bookings for the period 15/03 to 22/04/2009 as stated in the recent University Notices issued on 05 and 06/03/2009.  If this event is in any way related to electioneering for the 2009 National Elections you will need to obtain authorisation from the Executive Director - Physical Planning and Operations (Mr Charles Poole) to book a University venue for this event.
Regards [IMAGE] John Goodier
Assistant Administrative Officer:
Timetabling & Venue Bookings
Student Academic Administration
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Tel:           +27 31 260 3167
Fax:          +27 31 260 1662
e-mail:   goodier@ukzn.ac.zawebsite:  http://timetable.ukzn.ac.za 

>>> Sandile Mbhense 3/31/2009 3:56 PM >>>

This is to inform you that SADESMO is hosting a rally which is planned as follows: Date: 01/04/2009Venue: Dining Hall Time: 02h00-20h00Guest: Mr Dladla (Former mayor of UThukela) We expecting 150 students coming from Durban University of Technology and Mangosuthu University of Technology.

We would be glad if you can kindly  approve/consider this message because we were not aware that your office works hand in hand with Mr Fred Laskey's office.
Kind regards
SADESMO SECRETARY-GENERAL
(076) 291-8147