Scores of students at Wits University have shut the main entrance to the campus due to protests against 'financial exclusion and lack of accommodation.'
He said students are required to pay an upfront R10,000 fee for access to the university’s accommodation. But those who do not qualify to receive funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are left homeless, Matloga said.
“We have a crisis of students who are homeless and sleeping in libraries and the university is taking them out but is struggling to give them beds. Residence costs a minimum of R58,000 a year for a first-year student and up to R80,000 for a postgraduate student. “The university is dragging their feet and students are panicking and knocking on doors for answers,” he said.
Matloga said the SRC planned to shut down the campus until the university meets their demands listed in a memorandum that was submitted on Wednesday morning. The Wits senior executive team said in a statement that 350 beds have been secured from accredited private accommodation facilities for students in need and those sleeping in libraries and other spaces.“The university and private service providers are also navigating NSFAS’s decision to cap accommodation costs at R45,000 per annum, which is regrettable.”
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