Blade fails to address safety issues at universities

“Where is Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, and what is he going to do to prevent violence at universities?

This is the question posed by AfriForum Youth after a fatal knife fight at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) that left one student dead and another critically injured. The alleged crime was one of many violent incidents that took place at universities across the country this year.

“The Minister and his team needs to take immediate action. Security and student safety at TUT as well as other campuses including Medunsa and Stellenbosch are in tatters. However, the Minister is nowhere to be seen,” said Henk Maree, National Chairperson of Afriforum Youth.

Since the beginning of the year Nzimande verbally addressed violent protests at universities, but failed to act.

However, he didn’t hesitate to enforce his ANC driven policy regarding transformation or act on problems experienced at the North West University in Potchefstroom.

“It appears as if transformation and racial demography are more important to the Minister than the safety of university students,” Maree said.