Handful of UFS students march to college for support

By: Jeanette Chabalala

Bloemfontein - A group of University of the Free State students on Wednesday marched to Motheo FET College in Bloemfontein to ask students there to join their fees protest.

This after the Student Representative Council (SRC) president Lindokuhle Ntuli called off its fee protest over fears of violence.  

Several police vehicles escorted the protesters to the college. 

Students sang and danced while walking in smaller groups on the pavement in an effort not to disrupt traffic. 

 

Fees Must Fall activist Siyabulela Lufelo said they wanted students of Motheo to join them on Thursday when they march to the provincial government offices. 

However when they arrived at Motheo they were refused entry. 

Management at Motheo asked the protesting students not to interrupt students who were writing their exams.  

Threats against students

On Tuesday night, Ntuli wrote on his Facebook profile that the SRC had noted several violent incidents and accompanying threats during the two days of protest.  

"At no point will the SRC condone any form of violence, vandalism or intimidation," he said.

"Threats of assault have been made to students who may opt not to join the movement and plans are afoot to forcefully remove students from residences."

He said the SRC has also observed sabotage against its leadership. 

On Monday Ntuli announced that campus would be shut down for the entire week.

This comes after Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande announced on Monday that universities could determine their own fee increments for 2017, but they should not exceed 8%.

Poor students would not be affected.

The university announced on its website that academic and administration services would resume on September 26.

 

News 24