#FeesMustFall leaders trash R460 million bill

13 June 2016 - 09:55 By POPPY LOUW

Leaders of #FeesMustFall have refused to have their movement's legacy tainted by the protests that caused nearly R460-million in damages to varsity property. It follows Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande's announcement on Thursday of the total cost of damages caused by the protests that started in October.Although the leaders condemned the vandalising of property by the fellow students, they said the department and universities could have intervened sooner.Tshwane University of Technology student and #FeesMustFall leader MJ wa Azania said the question should rather be what led to the vandalism.Poor response to free education inquiryThe commission of inquiry into higher education and training set up by President Jacob Zuma to investigate the feasibility of free tertiary education has received only 11 submissions a week before the closing date.#FeesMustFall activist condemns burning of schools#FeesMustFall student activist Mcebo Dlamini says the burning of schools is counter-revolutionary."What the department is doing is sweeping the water as opposed to repairing where the leak is coming from. The millions that they are planning to spend now on repairing the damaged property could have been properly channelled into what students were initially calling for."We won't stop the pressure on the government until free education is offered," said Wa Azania.The department has allocated R40.5-million towards damages at five historically disadvantaged universities, including the universities of Fort Hare, Zululand and Limpopo.Though part of the money was covered by insurers, the department estimates R460-million could:Build a residence for 1900 students; andPay R72,000 National StudentFinancial Aid Scheme loans for 6386 students for a year.University of Cape Town activist Chumani Maxwele said universities, students and the department should take responsibility."No one celebrates or supports the burning of university infrastructure - it goes against what we were fighting for. #FeesMustFall at UCT was never about violence."For the government to only avail funds in this stage shows there is still a lack of visionary leadership. It should work towards tackling issues before they become crises."..

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