29 July 2010

The South African Democratic Students Movement (SADESMO) today said that the disruption of classes at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop Campus is cause for concern, following damage to property to the value of R1,1 million.

The students are at loggerheads with management on a wide a range of issues such as the provision of adequate housing, alleged incompetence of the vice-chancellor and the need to supply warm water to residences. It is reported that lectures have been boycotted since Friday.

Mkhuleko Hlengwa SADESMO National Spokesperson said: "We are well aware of the challenges that students are facing at Turfloop, however to burn buildings and disrupt classes is most certainly not the way to solve these problems."

On Tuesday night, a lecture hall was set alight by disgruntled students.

"Last year, at the University of Zululand, we saw similar instances of violence and this trend must not be allowed to continue. In both these cases Sasco is the common denominator. We call on Sasco to rein in their members and to exercise disciplined protests. Damaging property disadvantages students further, thus defeating the very cause that is being championed. Sasco should at least have a good grasp of this basic logic," said Hlengwa.

Hlengwa said that Sadesmo condemned the manner in which fellow students aired their grievances, but said that SADESMO did however support their struggle for a better education and a conducive learning environment.

"The promise of a better life which is thrown around time and time again during election campaigns must materialise. South Africans are fast running out of patience as service delivery is coming at half a snail's pace," Hlengwa added.

He continued: "If the speed in which World Cup infrastructure was delivered is anything to go by, then there is no excuse for not meeting students' needs and service delivery targets in general. These random protests and occasional malicious damage to property is a bold warning to government that things will get worse before they get better. The volcano of frustration is rumbling very loudly and will erupt sooner than we think."

In conclusion Hlengwa said: "We will be communicating with the relevant stakeholders in this matter so that we reach a speedy and favourable resolution and so that the learning and teaching process can be speedily restored."

* Statement issued by Sadesmo *

Contact: Mkhuleko "Leko" Hlengwa,
SADESMO National Spokesperson, on 083 871 2711 or 073 1667 904.