The student governance office has violated the South African Democratic Students Movement's (SADESMO) right to contest the upcoming SRC elections at the University of KwaZulu Natal, effectively allowing its opponent, the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), to walk into office without being elected. The UKZN's student governance officer Zola Saphetha gave no reason for this extraordinary decision. 

"Democracy at UKZN is under attack. SADESMO appeals to the Independent Electoral Commission and the wider South African public for support," said SADESMO Deputy Chairperson at UKZN-Edgewood Branch Ntobeko Zuma.  

SADESMO believes there will practically be no meaningful elections at UKZN this year. "Students who may not have voted for the ANCYL have been deprived of their constitutional right to choose their preferred SRC candidates," said Zuma.  

SADESMO feels the move has political connotations. "There have been instances of threats to our candidates via email, anonymous calls and text messages," said Zuma. 

SADESMO is determined to challenge the UKZN student governance office's decision to by-pass the democratic process. "We will defend students' right to vote in free and fair elections," said Zuma.
 

For Further Information:
Ntobeko Zuma
076 698 1924