UCT: Chaotic nature of current protests is regrettable
The Vice-Chancellor was pelted with plastic bottles & food when protesters disrupted a Senate meeting.
CAPE TOWN - The University of Cape Town (UCT) management has described the chaotic nature of ongoing student and worker protests at the institution as deeply regrettable.
Vice-Chancellor Max Price was yesterday pelted with plastic bottles and food when protestors disrupted a Senate meeting on campus.
A lecturer who attended the meeting said protesters stormed the lecture hall halfway through the Price's briefing
"About 150 students or so suddenly stormed into the lecture theatre, very aggressive. They were shouting and chanting and throwing things at us."
UCT's senate meeting destructed, Max Price got to students and it happened 😆 #uctshutdown pic.twitter.com/NrS9Yhp0wZ
- #RIPCecilLolo (@Doc_Ndumo) November 9, 2015
The situation on lower a few minutes ago. Anxiety does a few sit-ups #uctshutdown 2.0? pic.twitter.com/GCPwF0Zzoi
- WolfInTheNorth (@M4KV7V75A) November 9, 2015
#UCTProtests UCT Management describes the violent nature of ongoing student and worker protests as "deeply regrettable".
- EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) November 10, 2015
The purpose of the meeting was to allow Price to update staff and the SRC on various developments, including the outsourcing of workers on campus.
The university has reached an agreement with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union and the Allied Workers Union to insource six services.
But protestors say the deal does not address all their demands.
About 100 students under the banners of the Fees Must Fall and Rhodes Must Fall campaigns brought the meeting to an abrupt halt.
SRC member Rorisang Moseli was at the meeting.
"The purpose of the meeting was to fill in staff on the events which happened over the last several weeks and how the Vice-Chancellor would move it forward. The meeting was centred around a briefing by the Vice-Chancellor."
MARCH
Earlier on Monday, students from Cape Town universities marched to Parliament as part of their ongoing fight for an end to outsourcing and the financial exclusion of poor students.
UCT student leader Athabile Nonxuba said they wanted to meet with the president and the Minister of Higher Education.
"We also want the Minister of Labour to account to us in terms of insourcing."
Meanwhile, acting Higher Education Minister Thulas Nxesi o n Monday delivered government's response to the demands raised by protesting students outside Parliament, but was given the cold shoulder.
Demonstrators marched on Parliament for a third week in a row, hoping for a response from President Jacob Zuma and Minister Blade Nzimande.
They've been calling for free higher education an end to the outsourcing of workers and for government to enforce a socialist curriculum at universities.
Nxesi said he's not surprised by the reception.
"I wouldn't expect that I'd get roses from those students who are angry, who started the campaign. So it was not something unexpected."
He said government shares many of their concerns.
"In relation to the no fee increase, already the department has been able to reorganise itself and in fact identify R1.935 billion which they can be able to contribute. Investors have to contribute about R394 million."
Protests over rising university began at Wits on 14 October and rapidly spread to campuses across the country.
Last month Zuma announced a freeze on fee increases for next year.
Demonstrators demanded the attention of government by marching on Parliament and the Union Buildings at the height of the protests.
