Jamie McKane
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The Student Representative Council of the University of Pretoria has vowed to tackle the suspension notices handed out to students who were part of violent protests that rocked the institution.
“The SRC has committed itself to undertake the transparency around the suspension of students and grounds for which such suspensions have been imposed,” the SRC told News24 on Thursday.
“This will include though not limited to, a full inquiry as well as the holistic evidence that justifies the actions of the university.”
At least five students were suspended following protests that saw the institution shutting its doors last week. The suspended students accused the institution of victimising them following suspension letters being served on some students.
Many questioned the suspension, saying the protest had taken place outside the institution. They said the suspensions were a violation of students' rights, and would affect final-year students academically.
Students at the university have been protesting over its language policy. At least 27 people were arrested two weeks ago for public violence and they appeared in court last week. Charges against three of them were dropped, leaving 24 students to stand trial. Their case was postponed to April 7.
A suspended student accused the university of targeting black people and not punishing the white students who had allegedly started the fights.
The SRC said it would be meeting with university management to find ways to deal with the matter.
“We further are in the process of engaging management on how best to address these matters effectively and fairly as we believe the current form is draconian taking into consideration the cause of events and the national atmosphere around racial debates.”
News24
“The SRC has committed itself to undertake the transparency around the suspension of students and grounds for which such suspensions have been imposed,” the SRC told News24 on Thursday.
“This will include though not limited to, a full inquiry as well as the holistic evidence that justifies the actions of the university.”
At least five students were suspended following protests that saw the institution shutting its doors last week. The suspended students accused the institution of victimising them following suspension letters being served on some students.
Many questioned the suspension, saying the protest had taken place outside the institution. They said the suspensions were a violation of students' rights, and would affect final-year students academically.
Students at the university have been protesting over its language policy. At least 27 people were arrested two weeks ago for public violence and they appeared in court last week. Charges against three of them were dropped, leaving 24 students to stand trial. Their case was postponed to April 7.
A suspended student accused the university of targeting black people and not punishing the white students who had allegedly started the fights.
The SRC said it would be meeting with university management to find ways to deal with the matter.
“We further are in the process of engaging management on how best to address these matters effectively and fairly as we believe the current form is draconian taking into consideration the cause of events and the national atmosphere around racial debates.”
News24
