CENTRAL University of Technology students in Bloemfontein, Free State, have made a passionate plea for bail money.
The students were bust after they protested for almost two weeks over unpaid allowances by NSFAS, which include food, accommodation and study material. They were each granted R1 000 bail on Friday.
SRC deputy president Tshegofatso Mojanaga said they needed R59 000 for bail.
She posted on Facebook: “They are sending our poor male students to Grootvlei and the females back to Bainsvlei. We thank everyone who committed themselves to donate food, sanitary towels and water for our students arrested at Bainsvlei.
SRC president Moses Ntonyane said: “The students were queuing for assistance with their academic records and proof that they applied for NSFAS funding. The university management must also account for the unlawful arrests of these students because they instructed students to come to campus. The students were arrested for allegedly contravening a court order.”
Roads were blocked with burning tyres and classes were disrupted. University spokesman Dan Maritz said: “Although they have the constitutional right to protest, they have the responsibility of doing so in a peaceful manner.”
NPA spokesman Phaladi Shuping said the students faced charges of public violence. “Bail conditions have been set for them as follows: they must not interfere with student activities, partake in any illegal gathering and must not disrupt any classes. The case has been postponed to 31 March,” he said.
