Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEO - Students of South Cape College George Campus held a protest on Tuesday 22 March about delays in bursary monies from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

The payment date has been postponed, for a second time, from Friday 18 March. Students complained about not being able to pay for their accommodation and not having money for food and transport.

The protest started at the campus in Hibernia Street where they blocked off the street to vehicle traffic. They later marched to the campus head office in Mitchell Street.

Student representative council chairperson Babalwa Njezula said many students come from the eastern and northern Cape and circumstances so far away from home are difficult. "Some of the students' parents are unemployed and they do not have anyone to fall back on. Some have returned home."

Njezula said exams are starting next week and unnecessary worries about money are affecting students' ability to study.

One student said she had been kicked out by her landlord.

VIDEO: Students protest over non-payment of bursaries

Southern Cape police spokesperson Capt Malcolm Pojie confirmed that the Public Order Policing (Pop) unit in George responded to the protest, which started at 10:00. 

"No criminal incidents took place and the crowd dispersed peacefully at about 13:00. Pop members patrolled and monitored the situation until it normalised. No criminal investigation is warranted."

According to NSFAS spokesperson, Kagisho Mamaboo, the scheme has paid all TVET colleges 20% of tuition which was based on available funds. 

"NSFAS has not received the allocation to start disbursing allowances. All students will start receiving their allowances as of April when the funds are released to NSFAS by National Treasury. Some colleges have used some of the tuition advance to disburse allowances to their students."

Comment from the South Cape College is being awaited.

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