UB students to engage in further violent demonstrations targeting the University bookstore

University of Botswana (UB) students who are protesting over delayed payment of allowances are threatening to strike again today and this time they will be targeting the University bookstore.

The higher education facility was an eyesore yesterday in the wake of violent demonstrations.  Students have since destroyed property   including the refectory, on campus supermarket and the   campus restaurant. The students also targeted BOT50 celebrations memorabilia at the nearby UB traffic   roundabout. However, there have   been   no reports   of    injury   during the demonstrations.

Thus far UB management   has issued a memorandum announcing the suspension of classes at the   main campus. However, members of UB staff are expected to report for duty as usual.

In a previous   interview, the SRC Minister of Student Affairs, Mpho Molokwane, explained that they previously had a meeting with the Vice chancellor Thabo Faku and his deputies to air their grievances. “Last week Thursday about 6100 students received their allowances, while the remaining 3500 did not receive theirs.

We therefore marched to Department Tertiary Education and financing yesterday morning to find out what is the situation, which all resulted into full scale demonstration. And one thing that really disappoints us is that whenever we are in a bad situation, our Vice chancellor together with his deputy are not available,” said Molokwane.

Molokwane said someone at the University is sitting on their job, which leads to distress and disruption among students who have no money to buy food, toiletry, stationary and relevant books.

However, the Director-Public Affairs of UB, Mhitshane Reetsang expressed disappointment over demonstration yesterday, adding that they are aware of the complaints of their students getting allowances on separate days. Reetsang said university management are busy handling the matter.