Unam Rundu campus protesters clash with police
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
The police on Tuesday clashed with protesting students at the University of Namibia’s Rundu campus.
The students, according to their petition addressed to Unam vice-chancellor Professor Kenneth Matengu, demanded that he deal with a number of issues including the rejection of those who completed the English access course last year to be admitted this year.
Other demands included a special registration period for the current academic year because of problems experienced at the beginning of the year.
They also demanded that the university allow all unregistered senior students to be registered for the current academic year.
“It has become a routine that the university’s management continues to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the students and no one holds them accountable, however students are forced to be subjected to such decisions and continue to oppress our basic fundamental human right,” the petition reads.
“It is important to note that it is because of the unwillingness and the arrogance of the university’s management to positively engage and listen to the issues which were raised by the student leaders that have led us to make this irreversible decision.
“We therefore hereby want to make it categorically clear that we don’t feel safe under the current Rundu campus management, since we are receiving threats and intimidations from the institution.”
Police, student clash
The protesters had to gather off campus after the police refused to allow them entry.
That was despite the group having acquired permission from the police prior to the protest.
It was only around 15:00 when the task force leaders, the police and the Unam leadership had a brief meeting and decided that the protestors could enter the premises and read their petition.
The Unam management was asked to respond to the demands with immediate effect.
By the time of going to print, the protesters were camping outside the campus.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The police on Tuesday clashed with protesting students at the University of Namibia’s Rundu campus.
The students, according to their petition addressed to Unam vice-chancellor Professor Kenneth Matengu, demanded that he deal with a number of issues including the rejection of those who completed the English access course last year to be admitted this year.
Other demands included a special registration period for the current academic year because of problems experienced at the beginning of the year.
They also demanded that the university allow all unregistered senior students to be registered for the current academic year.
“It has become a routine that the university’s management continues to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the students and no one holds them accountable, however students are forced to be subjected to such decisions and continue to oppress our basic fundamental human right,” the petition reads.
“It is important to note that it is because of the unwillingness and the arrogance of the university’s management to positively engage and listen to the issues which were raised by the student leaders that have led us to make this irreversible decision.
“We therefore hereby want to make it categorically clear that we don’t feel safe under the current Rundu campus management, since we are receiving threats and intimidations from the institution.”
Police, student clash
The protesters had to gather off campus after the police refused to allow them entry.
That was despite the group having acquired permission from the police prior to the protest.
It was only around 15:00 when the task force leaders, the police and the Unam leadership had a brief meeting and decided that the protestors could enter the premises and read their petition.
The Unam management was asked to respond to the demands with immediate effect.
By the time of going to print, the protesters were camping outside the campus.
[email protected]
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