Picture: (Fury as NWU up in smoke)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

SITUATION is now abominable at North West University in Mafikeng campus. The students and police are up in arms against each other. The police were shooting at the students using stun grenades and rubber bullets, while students retaliated by pelting stones at the police.

North West University (NWU) students representative in Mafikeng campus, says the time has come for the university’s council to be disbanded in the interests of promoting transformation.

The SRC president, Xavier Mabengwana, said all three campuses would be on total shutdown until their demands were met.

As part of the action, they vowed to blockade even entrances to the institutions.

“We want NWU council to be disbanded because it has failed dismal in its duty to streamline operations at all the campuses. We want curriculum alignment that is in line with our higher education regulations. The Potchefstroom campus is the only campus that is benefiting. You look at their hostels and the infrastructure they have, you will never find them at the two other campuses.

“The council said they want to reserve a culture and understand what it is. They only want to preserve the Afrikaans language and use it to see transformation within three campuses. The council only benefits white students and consists of whites only.

“Their reaction in return makes it very difficult for the vice chancellor to do his work properly.” Mabengwana said.

The SRC met with North West Supra Mahumapelo who shared some of the concerns raised by the students.

“The student leaders said part of their concerns at Mafikeng campus include calling for the university library to be opened for 24 hours a day. The library currently closes at 10pm during weekends. I declared that on behalf of Bokone Bophirima provincial government, we fully support removal of all obstacles,” Mahumapelo said.
-TDN
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