By Tsepiso Theko
Tshwane University of Technology Soshanguve campuses remain closed as students protest for their off-campus allowances. The protests which started peacefully on Monday at Shoshanguve campus have since escalated to the main campus in West Pretoria. According to EFFSC Soshanguve Secretary-General, Albert Mayza Baloyi, students are only asking that the institution should give them their money instead of forcing them to occupy accredited residences.
“TUT Soshanguve is a township based institution and if it is to transform it must also transform the people of Soshanguve”
Students bemoaned amongst other things, the expensive monthly fees on accredited residences. Although many landlords have shown support to students and their cries, other students have received eviction threats from their landlords due to long overdue rent. This, according to Baloyi might jeopardize their year-end exams. Local residence owners ‘Mamazalas’ who are in support of the course say they believe the institution is taking out bread from their mouth by accrediting alternative residences for students.
TUT spokesperson Willa de Ruyter had communicated that students have to occupy university owned and accredited residences before private accommodation would be considered for allowances. Baloyi added that the campus will remain closed until manangement responds to their grievances . Contact Classes have been suspended until further notice.
