PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A South Cape College student from the institution's Bitou campus was arrested during recent protest action over funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) that did not pay out.
The demonstrations were not limited to Bitou but also took place at the George, Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn campuses.
While the protest on Thursday 20 February was described by students and Bitou Municipality as a peaceful one, a student was arrested for public violence, intimidation and damage of property.
He was arrested at the Bitou campus on Thursday 20 February, released the next day and has to appear in the Knysna Magistrate's Court tomorrow, 28 February.
The protest action is said to be over for now. Students in Bitou handed over a memorandum to the college with their concerns and it was agreed they would receive feedback by Friday.
In her latest statement on Tuesday 25 February, South Cape College principal Elsie Potgieter said that, after a meeting with student representatives on 19 February, it was agreed that an interim payment of allowances would be done on Friday 21 February. "Students were requested to submit their outstanding documentation required for the NSFAS bursary allowances applications by 20 February. On 21 February, the allowances of students who have met the requirements … were paid."
On Monday this week, students at the George campus started another protest, this time because they wanted their allowances paid on a daily basis and not as agreed upon, said Potgieter in her statement.
The agreement was that a second interim payment would be made if students submitted all outstanding documentation and it was verified. According to Potgieter payments were made on Monday 24 February.
Related article: Student protest at Bitou SCC
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