Teaching and learning remain suspended at the Mpondozankomo TVET College in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.
Last week, several students as well as two police members were injured during a protest action at the Mpondozankomo Campus.
Students are believed to be protesting for an increase in NSFAS allowances, and to be allowed to stay in off-campus accommodation. They claim that the college procured accommodation is located far from the institution, and that their safety is being compromised.
Ongoing Conflict
A number of students have stressed that the ongoing conflict has affected them significantly, as examinations are currently underway as well.
Our campus has been closed for a week and before this strike there was a strike of lecturers that took almost two weeks. We are supposed to be catching up from the strike of the lectures but now its NSFAS issues.
Members of the college Student Representative Council (SRC) held a meeting with Nkangala college management to discuss issues and demands raised by students.
However, college management have maintained their stance and have not made any negotiations regarding student demands.
Management explained, “Students they think they can just stay in the back rooms and get R4500 per month. Which is not what the policy says.”
According to NSFAS student accommodation policies, TVET colleges have to ensure that students are placed in accredited housing that is conducive to studying and learning.
Students have threatened to continue with the strike until their demands are met and college management has beefed up security in and around the campus.
