University of Pretoria students protest against tuition fee payments. Picture: Supplied
Pretoria - Seven members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Pretoria have been temporarily suspended for disrupting the academic programme.
University spokesperson Rikus Delport said the institution had as a last resort temporarily suspended the student leaders pending an appeal.
“These temporary suspensions will be lifted immediately the students commit to avoiding all actions that disrupt teaching and learning and all operational activities of the university.
“While these students will still be allowed to continue with their studies during this time, they will not be allowed to participate in any on-campus activities.”
Delport said the students had been suspended for disrupting campus activities, including classes, blocking entrances and trying to prevent buses from transporting students between campuses.
“While we care about all our students and staff, the suspensions are as a result of all other options having been exhausted.
“The university held several discussions with students, including meetings with senior management, where we appealed to them to refrain from interrupting the academic programme.
“This was unfortunately unsuccessful. We condemn their unacceptable, disruptive behaviour and will not hesitate to take steps against those who try to prevent our students from continuing with their academic programme.”
Delport said most of their students wanted to continue with classes so no students should have their learning disrupted.
“No academic staff members should have their teaching disrupted. No staff members should be prevented from delivering a service or moving freely in and out of campus against their will.”
Delport said the option to have fact-based dialogues and clarifications was open.
The suspensions came after the SRC led a small group of students and disrupted classes early last week.
Delport said the protests by the small group of students were based on incorrect assumptions regarding the first payment of tuition fees.
“The first payment of fees for next year has been adjusted from R5 000 to R7 500 but the students’ total tuition fees do not change because of this.
“For example, if tuition fees for a programme are R50 000, they will remain R50 000, the only change would be first or initial payment.”
Delport said the university held off adjusting the first payment earlier because of the financial hardship of students and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, the financial situation of the university has meant that an increase can regrettably no longer be put off.”
In a statement, the SRC said it was appalled by the decision to undermine students by temporarily suspending the seven leaders.
“This decision is quite simply unheard of where student leaders are suspended for exercising their constitutional right to protest as enshrined in section 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
“As a public institution, the University of Pretoria fails to uphold this by acting in a manner which is outside of the parameters of law; a manner intended to instil fear in students and student leaders and to rule by terror.”
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