Students arrested following protest at South Cape College

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A few students of Mossel Bay’s South Cape College Campus were arrested for public violence following a protest action outside the campus gates in Essenhout Street, Heiderand, this morning, 31 August.

About 150 students took to the streets protesting against an alleged lack of funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) - funding they say they were promised and meant to receive at the beginning of the academic year in February.

Now in August and nearing a new month, protest leader Siphuxolo Ngulana says they have received little to no communication from Nsfas or South Cape College itself, and are struggling to afford the costs of accommodation.

At about 08:30 this morning, Ngulana was in discussion with the campus authorities regarding the group’s demands. The outcome of that discussion is not yet known.

Protest leader Siphuxolo Ngulana (front, black jacket) addresses the group outside the college’s campus. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz

The police had previously informed him that should the situation change from a peaceful protest to one of violence, he would be the person held responsible and possibly arrested.

Ngulana assured the police there would be no acts of vandalism, nor would the group enter the campus grounds during their demonstration, and he communicated that promise to his fellow students as well.

However, the situation escalated during the day when some tyres were set alight, and the Public Order Policing (Pop) Unit was called in, as well as members of Mossel Bay’s various police stations, the Mossel Bay Municipality’s law enforcement, a K9 unit and the fire department, to extinguish the burning tyres.

According to a municipal notice issued at about 13:00 this afternoon, the group was dispersed and a few students were arrested.

At this stage, it is unclear if Ngulana was one of them.

The municipality has requested that the public steer clear of active public order scenes and that they follow the instructions of officials on site. “Currently, no traffic diversions nor any road closures are implemented,” said the municipality.

Mossel Bay Advertiser has sent questions to Mossel Bay’s South Cape College, but has not yet received a response. Its official comment will be included once received.

The students head towards the campus gates. Photo: Gabriélla Siebritz