‘University of W Cape students are uncompromising’

UWC students say they have decided to embark on a protest to show their dissatisfaction about a number of unresolved issues.

The group of students from the University of Western Cape who took part in a violent protest on Tuesday have been described as being uncompromising.

"There is a sense in which we are hearing that our future leaders are saying: You listen to me when you agree with me. If you don’t agree with me you are not listening," says UWC Vice-Chancellor Tyrone Pretorius.

Students are demanding that the university uses its investment to write off historical debt. However, Pretorius says that this is a national issue that is being dealt with by the presidential task team.

According to Pretorius, students are said to have mobilised around the fact that the chair of the university council did not meet with them. But, Pretorius explains that a general council meeting is planned to take place in two weeks’ time and that it is not justifiable to hold an urgent meeting to deal with this long term issue which will be discussed in the general council meeting.

Students say they have decided to embark on a protest to show their dissatisfaction about a number of unresolved issues.

They are also blaming the Vice-Chancellor of failing to meet their demands.

Five students have been arrested since students went on a rampage, protesting and damaged various buildings on the campus on Wednesday.