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[File photo] Earlier, the South African Union of Students reiterated that all 26 universities must be completely shut down until funding, historical debt and other issues are dealt with.
The Wits Solidarity Sleepover Movement has urged the university to extend the registration period and raise additional funds to secure more beds, citing ongoing accommodation issues.
A number of students remain without accommodation and some are still unregistered due to historic debt and other financial problems.
In solidarity with those affected, students have embarked on a hunger strike and have been camping at the Student Representative Council’s boardroom since last Friday.
The university requires students to have a debt of less than R10 000 or 50 percent of what they owe.
Postgraduate LLB student Siviwe Mafuna, who is also on the hunger strike, criticized the university for failing to engage with the protesting students.
Mafuna says, “He called upon the Vice-Chancellor of the University to understand that it’s not their fault that they are black and poor. He says they’re prepared to die on the premises of the university unless their demands are met.”
Movement Coordinator Lerato Setsiba acknowledged the university’s efforts to raise funds through the Council hardship and SRC funds but noted these measures did not cover all students.
“That’s why we’re going out to say that there is more that can be raised, there are more beds that can accommodate students. That’s why our stance is that we ask the university to extend the registration period. We ask the university to continue to fundraise for more beds. It can’t just end with 800 students,” says Setsiba.
VIDEO | Wits hunger strike continues over exclusions:
