Tag Archives: north west university committe kgwadi chancellor parliament foster mohale phosa

NWU expels three students in different incidents

NEWS Leave a comment

  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West University (NWU) has expelled three students for illegal actions in separate incidents. The University spokesperson, Louis Jacobs said in the first incident, a final year BEd student has been expelled from the university following a disciplinary hearing.

“The Disciplinary Committee (DC) ruled that the student was guilty of assault of staff members and the destruction of university property. The student still has the right to appeal the outcome of the disciplinary process.

“In the early hours of 6 March 2021, a small group of students of the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus gathered at the main entrance of the campus to protest in support of calls for a national shutdown of universities. These students barricaded the entrance of the campus and caused complete mayhem that prevented staff and other students to access or exit the campus,” Jacobs said.

He further said during the protest action that lasted for almost the entire day, the protesters assaulted staff and vandalised university property. Jacobs further said the assault resulted in the hospitalisation of two members of the university’s Protection Services.

“The evidence provided shows the student assaulting these staff members with rocks, breaking the gates and windows, burning chairs, and destroying security cameras. The NWU empathises with academically deserving students who are unable to register due to financial constraints, and support constructive initiatives aimed at finding long-term sustainable solutions for higher education funding in our country.

“We have demonstrated our commitment for support by using our very constrained resources to cover registration costs for some of the deserving students. The assault of staff and students and vandalism are not ways and means of ensuring that academically deserving students get access to higher education, but are mere short-sighted and selfish ways that can only perpetuate their suffering,” he said.

In the second incident, two members of the Vanderbijlpark Campus Student Campus Council were also expelled, after their disciplinary hearing was concluded. Both members were found guilty for their actions during February 2021.

Jacobs said the students were found guilty of involvement in the university’s business activities with third parties, involving owners of private accommodation.

“Their request for appeal has been denied and we welcome the Disciplinary Committees’ ruling regarding these students. It is regrettable that young persons’ lives have taken this turn. However, all of us including students must know that there are consequences for our actions and take accountability,” remarked Prof Dan Kgwadi, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU.

“The NWU has in the past few years experienced violence and vandalism that continue to cost the university financially and in other ways. I have repeatedly told our students and their parents and guardians that we have a zero-tolerance for violence and misconduct of any kind,” said Jacobs.

He said the students can have robust debate about issues without assaulting each other or damaging property or bringing the university’s name into disrepute. Jacobs said after all, they are at a university where difference of opinion and contestation of ideas are encouraged and promoted.

“I wish all our students can embrace constructive ways of resolving problems and avoid this kind of results. Regarding the business operations of the university, both staff and students must refrain from interfering or influencing the outcome of the university process in order for us to ensure transparency and fair business practices,” he added.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

TRANSFORMATION MUST BE A PRIORITY – COMMITTEE TELLS NWU


Johannesburg– The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called for the both prioritisation of transformation at the North West University (NWU) as well as the institution’s move from a federal system to being unitary. 

The Committee has also called for the immediate ceasing of all student initiation practises and the implementation of stricter measures to curb alleged incidents of racism on all campuses.

These follows the Committee’s meeting with the NWU Council and Management – as well as other stakeholders – in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

Committee Chairperson Mrs Yvonne Phosa stated that transformation had to be implemented as per the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.

“As a country, we are on a transformation journey. The White Paper talks about the transformation of the sector and how all of us should rally behind this,” she said.

Phosa did not mince her words when she stated that the Committee was against the NWU’s federal system.

“We must be honest enough to admit that the federal model of management hasn’t been in the best interests of the country. If we don’t support a move away from a federal system to a unitary university it will be a recipe for disaster,” she said.

The NWU has three campuses in Potchefstroom, Mafikeng and Vaal. Ms Phosa further made it clear that the initiation practices – which resulted in the unfortunate passing away of student Thabang Makhoang in 2012 – had to be stopped with immediate effect.

“It is clear that there’s still a recurrence of initiation practices and the Portfolio Committee cannot accept the fact that policies are in place but incidents still take place. The recurrence nullifies the existence of those policies or makes us doubt them.”

The Committee felt there was a need for the culture of the university to be changed and for leadership will to drive the move towards an institution characterised by social cohesion, upholding of human rights and harmony.

Both the acting Chairperson of the Council, Mr Fika van Rensburg, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dan Kgwadi, assured the Committee that there were measures in place to deal with the issues raised by MPs. Other stakeholders who were part of the meeting included the Institutional Forum, the Institutional SRC and representatives of organised labour.