This week the University of the Western Cape (UWC) was hit by a strike from students demanding accommodation, debt clearance and course registration.
A Twitter user shared a video of the violent clashes that were taking place at the University between the South African Police Services and protesting students.
About 800 students from University of Western Cape in South Africa are not accommodated. They are sleeping any and everywhere: from the student center to tv rooms in residences.
This is completely unacceptable and the police repression is uncalled for. #UWCShutdown https://t.co/tZf6avGrsb
— zellie (@zellieimani) February 6, 2020
The protest action began on Monday when classes were expected to start for this year’s academic year.
Sasha Douglas, UWC SRC chairperson said there were delays in clearance and registration for 2020 by the Student Credit Management’s (SCM).
“The SRC rejects the SCM process of clearance, which requires that students pay 30% of their debt, pay registration and enter into a monthly debit order agreement with the university in order for them to be cleared for registration,” Douglas said.
On Wednesday the University announced that it will be delaying the academic program by a week so as to ensure that all students have the chance to be cleared and registered.
Despite this, protests continued amidst the police presence on campus.