Briefing the media on Thursday, following days of student protests over non-payment of NSFAS allowances, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Henk de Jager, said the university has to date paid approximately R94 million in allowances to help students. De Jager said this is equal to an excess of R30 million paid by the university to students, despite the institution having only received R64 million from the Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). De Jager highlighted that they are disappointed by the protests as the university management has on several occasions engaged with the SRC regarding issues raised by students. He confirmed classes on campus have not been suspended and that the campus security is working hand-in-hand with the SAPS to restore order. This in addition to a court interdict the university got against protestors on Tuesday afternoon.

“Some of our students and staff were victimised and as a university, we have the responsibility to ensure the safety of our students, our staff, and property. It is for that reason that we applied for a court order,” said De Jager.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Resources and Operations, Gary Paul, added that a number of students who experienced challenges with the payment of accommodation allowances were those residing in non-accredited student houses and that the students are aware that the university cannot process their accommodation allowance without a lease agreement. He, however, alluded that the university has made a provision to issue them with letters which need to be completed by their landlords to help them claim money for accommodation.

“We have created an enabling condition to assist our students. We are running this institution in a responsible manner. We are not taking our students as second class citizens, they are our highest priority,” said Paul.

More information about NSFAS can be obtained at https://www.cut.ac.za/nsfas

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