Wits students on hunger strike say they are beginning to feel physically weak
They have been on the hunger strike for five days so far, calling for the university to allow them to register despite historic debt.
A handful of Wits university students with historical debt have gone on a hunger strike. Picture facebook.com/Wits University
JOHANNESBURG - Students on a hunger strike at Wits University said they are starting to feel physically weak as they enter five days without food.
They have been on the strike, calling for the university to allow them to register despite historic debt.
ALSO READ:
- Wits removes unregistered students on hunger strike from SRC boardroom
- Wits in discussion with SRC to find solution for unregistered students on hunger strike
- Wits working to ensure students who qualify to continue their studies are registered
The university requires students to have debt of less than R10,000 or pay half of what they owe in order to register.
Sifiso Palai, a fourth-year education student, said that despite being diabetic and unable to take his medication without eating, he was willing to continue striking to support the cause.
He owes the university R180,000 for his undergraduate studies.
In order to register for the current academic year, he must pay half of that amount.
He worries that he has missed out on a lot of work since the academic year began on 10 February.
"I cannot access my studies because I’m not allowed to get in class because I’m not in the register, and if I go to class without being on the register, then I’m doing something that is illegal."