UB STUDENTS GO ON STRIKE OVER LATE PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES

University of Botswana (UB) students today (Friday) engaged in a strike lead by   members of the Student Representative Council (SRC). 

Multitudes of student who   were striking over late payment of   allowances   converged in front of the University’s administrative block where they demanded to see the Vice Chancellor Professor Thabo Faku. The students went    on dramatic rampage obstructing traffic and venting their frustration at    other   students who were not part of the demonstration at the institution.

After addressing the angry student in front of the University student centre, just before the afternoon, SRC president Bakotelo Mmipi said the students have now gone two months without their allowances being paid. “The last time we received a proper allowance was on May 28th when the University closed for the mid year vacation. For the month of June and July we did not receive any allowance,” Mmipi said, adding that the students were   expected to eat, come to school, buy books and pay their land lords regardless of whether they are paid   or not. 

You ask yourself who in their right minds can allow this to happen. Mmipi said they have since contacted the Department of Tertiary Education Financing (DTEF), who said they were waiting for a list of results from the University. However, Mmipi insisted   that such list has been available since 28th May when the University closed.

“This   is what has brought us here we are seeking answers. We need the money by the end of the day   or the situation will not subside, we are here to fight for the rights of the students.” Moreover, Mmipi said the SRC   members are risking being suspended from the institution for fighting the rights of   students, adding that   law enforcement authorities   can event be brought in to intervene in such   circumstance. 

Mmipi added that the students are prepared to strike overnight if the situation is not attended to. He added that the DTEF   should not knock off without paying the students first. Meanwhile Mmipi said Faku later addressed the students and told them that they will receive   their allowances before the end of the day.