NATIONAL NEWS - Chaos broke out at the University of Limpopo (UL), situated outside Polokwane, on Wednesday. Students, who protested that off-campus allowances have not been paid, damaged property and set several buildings alight.
The situation was described as hostile and various assets, such as access gates to several entrances and the perimeter fence of the university, were vandalised.
UL spokesperson Johannes Selepe said they are committed to assist students and will advance allowances as far as their cash flow allows.
Student representative Khutso Mamabolo told Polokwane Review that students have not received their off-campus allowances for the past seven months and risk being evicted from their accommodation.
“NSFAS students who reside off campus are supposed to be catered for through an off-campus allowance in order to pay their rent. NSFAS then made a decision that the money should not go to the students themselves but rather to the landlords,” Mamabolo said.
UL has since been in the process of verifying off-campus residences and landlords to streamline the process, but this has caused a delay.
Selepe said the delay is due to some landlords and students still not concluding their lease agreements, despite numerous requests by the university.
“The NSFAS policy is that there will be no accommodation allowance if there is no signed lease agreement. We plead with all landlords and students to ensure they conclude their respective activities so that the university can facilitate the speedy resolution of the matter,” he added.
Selepe said executive management continues to engage on the issues raised and that they continuously liaise with NSFAS to promptly process allowances for concluded and verified cases.
A heavy police and private security presence remains on campus.
