SASCO Plans Protest Marches at TUT and Outside Minister Blade Nzimande's Office

Sthembiso Sithole

SASCO members getting ready for
Thursday and Friday protest marches.

The South African Student Congress (SASCO) has announced that it is planning a protest march for all Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campuses on Thursday.

The body's General Secretary, Lazola Ndemaze, told students at the university’s Soshanguve North campus on Wednesday that his organisation is unhappy with the newly introduced campus bus fares, computers without adequate internet access and rejection of students by the residence administration.

Ndemaze exaggerated in his statement pleading with students to boycott lectures. “Students we are not mobilising you for nothing. TUT North campus has 20 computers used by 2000 students,” he told the crowd.

The decision to march follows SASCO’s meeting with Higher EducationMinister, Dr Blade Nzimande. Ndemaze says he told Nzimande of his unhappiness with the luxury car the minister is driving. He says he further told him to stop sleeping in luxury hotels while some students can’t afford university education.

“As SASCO we have a plan for free education. Government must impose a tax to all the working class. We are also saying that expensive liquor that the 15 year old drinks must be taxed,” Ndemaze further elaborated.

Ndemaze then pleaded with the students to protest peacefully on Thursday. “No student must be caught breaking windows,” he said.

SASCO also plans to march to Minister Nzimande’s office at 8AM on Monday.

Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, is delivering a public lecture to TUT students at the Pretoria West campus on Friday evening.