SASCO demands urgent action to address EThekwini TVET student evictions
South African Students Congress (SASCO) said EThekwini TVET college students were evicted from their residences this week.
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The South African Students Congress (SASCO) in the Durban Central Region has condemned the eviction of students from EThekwini TVET College residences, blaming the situation on the college’s alleged failure to submit 2024 academic results to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
In a strongly worded statement issued this week, SASCO said the eviction of students due to administrative delays was “inhumane” and “reckless.”
The student organisation laid responsibility for the matter at the door of the EThekwini TVET College, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and NSFAS.
“This reckless negligence has left plenty of students stranded, humiliated, and homeless all because of administrative incompetence and lack of urgency from the college, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and NSFAS,” the statement read.
SASCO warned that the current crisis was unfolding in the middle of the academic year, with dire consequences for students' well-being and academic performance.
“We cannot and will not stand by while students are reduced to beggars for a roof over their heads in the middle of the academic year,” the organisation said.
The organisation has issued three immediate demands: that EThekwini TVET College submit all outstanding results to NSFAS, that NSFAS expedite the processing of funding for affected students, and that DHET intervene to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.
The statement warned that failure to act would result in mobilisation.
“Failure to act will leave us with no choice but to mobilise and take this battle to the streets. We will confront incompetence with resistance, and indifference with mass action.”
“The dignity of students is non-negotiable! We demand justice now or we shut it down! No students must be left behind!”
EThekwini TVET college has been approached for comment.