Pretoria - The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has condemned violence during student housing protests at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
“While we accept that the erection of a shack at UCT’s main campus symbolises the desperation for student accommodation at campuses across the country, violence and damage to property have no place on our campuses. This translates to lawlessness,” committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said in a statement on Thursday.
The students, who reportedly belong to the #RhodesMustFall movement, sought to raise what they termed the “preferential treatment of white students” in the provision of student accommodation by erecting a shack on UCT’s main campus.
Violence is said to have erupted when UCT management made an alternative suggestion for the situation of the shack, among other things, and several students were arrested.
Phosa said the committee understands students’ frustrations and the sensitive nature of the provision of student accommodation throughout the country.
“We appeal to the Department of Higher Education and Training to assist universities to prioritise and speedily address the issue of student accommodation challenges and ensure that residence allocations do not give a perception that white students receive preferential treatment,” she said.
She said the committee understands that student accommodation has always been an issue in the country as the increased access does not keep up with available residences. – SAnews.gov.za
