This, amidst unrest at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses on Monday after students embarked on protests to demand food and accommodation allowances. The students, represented by SRC president Katleho Lechoo, have voiced their concerns stating that they will continue making their demands heard. They threatened to shut down the campus should their demands not be met as soon as possible, as the academic year has been extended to January. 

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the university, Lacea Loader, has confirmed to OFM News that they started paying allowances to students on Monday, as per the announcement made by the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande that NSFAS students would receive additional living allowances to cover meals and personal expenses for the extended 2020 academic year.

Loader, in a statement, further confirms allowances are being paid only to students who are on the confirmed NSFAS bursary agreement list and who are writing examinations (face-to-face or online) in December 2020.

"The university is not in the position to meet the demand of the ISRC to pay allowances to cover meals and personal expenses of NSFAS students who already completed online or face-to-face examinations earlier this year," said Loader.

She, however, added that the university is committed to assist students who are still writing online or face-to-face examinations and who may be experiencing problems with their private accommodation or face eviction by landlords.

OFM News