Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has suspended classes on Friday and more information regarding next week’s academics will be released over the weekend, the university said..
TUT students have been protesting since Monday demanding that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) scrap its current system used for the distribution of funds by using a system that Nesfas referred to as “Direct Payment Solution”.
The students have rejected the system saying it is very expensive and that it often delays payments needed for food and accommodation.
TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe said academic activities are suspended on Friday only.
“The University community is hereby informed that in order to allow time for management and student representatives to finalise discussions aimed at putting an end to ongoing anti-Nsfas protests by some of our students, academic activities will remain suspended on Friday, 14 July 2023 only,” said TUT spokesperson Phaphama Tshisikhawe.
“Over this weekend, the University community will be informed of arrangements pertaining to the upcoming week,” she added.
TUT SRC President Keamogetswe Masike said the institution and the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande don’t want accountability for the mess the new payment system is causing.
“I am very angry because the university is failing to take accountability that we are in a state of a crisis. The Minister is failing to take accountability and responsibility that institutions of higher learning in the country are in a state of a crisis.
“So as we speak we have not resolved anything. The executive officials of the university are still emphasising that the gate of the university must open. But we have maintained a view that it can’t be business as usual when scores of our students are starved and have not received their allowance. I am emphasising on this point that students have raised genuine concerns that this financial banking system is exploiting the money of the students in terms of levies and in terms of the management fees,” said Masike
