IT was destruction and fire as students went on the rampage over unpaid off-campus allowances on Wednesday, 14 September.
University of Limpopo students in Mankweng, outside Polokwane in Limpopo, blocked roads with burning tyres and stones, set buildings on fire and destroyed vehicles.
They said they have not received their off-campus allowances since January and some students have already been evicted from the rooms they were renting.
They said they may all end up homeless because landlords are tired of hearing about the university that has not paid them their allowances.
“We are depressed and drowning in debt,” said a 23-year-old student.
“Some of us live far away and we can’t afford to be evicted.”
Some of the students told Daily Sun that they have been engaging with management for some time, but nothing has happened.
“How are we supposed to focus on our studies when our landlords are breathing down our necks?” said a 21-year-old student.
They said some poor students who don’t have money to pay for rent have already been evicted.
A 22-year-old student said this may lead to students dropping out.
“It’s very painful dropping out at this time of the year,” she said.
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A letter dated 14 September, displaying the university’s logo and the signature of vice chancellor and principal Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, has been doing the rounds on social media.
On the letter, Mokgalong is ordering all students to vacate the campus within 24 hours.
But university spokesman Victor Kgomoeswana said the letter is fake and that the university remains open and operational.
He said there was a protest over off-campus allowances by a tiny group of students resulting in damage to property.
“The management of the university and a team from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme are attending to the students’ matter,” said Kgomoeswana.
