One student who spoke to OFM News alleges that she was forced to take this painful decision due to non-payment of her allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for three months, including March, April, and May. She says was forced to deregister last week despite submitting supporting documents, such as a lease, which includes details of rental amount, water and electricity bills, amongst others. She says she is now left with university debt of R200 000. Meanwhile, another student says she is also considering deregistering due to issues of non-payment of allowances. 

The CUT is yet to comment.

The student who plans to deregister adds that “it's stressful having to have to perform academically while I don't even have any kind of financial assistance to buy food or toiletries. It's draining and it's too much of a burden for my mom because she is unemployed,” she adds.

The student who deregistered last week, adds that at one point she went to the campus to inquire about the delays in her allowances and she was informed that the first list which was submitted went missing, and after that, she was constantly told that the monies would be paid in due course.

Other concerned and aggrieved students who took the liberty to speak to OFM News on issues which they say affect them, allege that issues at CUT that “students are facing include late or no allowance payments, data issuing, incorrect course marks, and technical issues in terms of studying online, to name a few. The shutdowns are also affecting academics, for example, face-to-face classes, practical classes, and tests have to be postponed and most students remain left behind”.

They also reacted to the protest at the campus which was led by the EFF student command (EFFSC). They allege the protest was stage one. They also say EFFSC is in cahoots with the CUT Management.

“I believe that the protest was a PR stunt for the EFFSC movement to gain momentum, why would there be a photographer to capture an unknown protest. I do not know what the purpose of the shutdown is. I believe students did not partake in today's protest because they got tired of EFFSC's empty promise.”

OFM News