Pretoria - Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande must investigate violence on university campuses, the DA Youth said on Monday.
“We need the higher education department to take urgent action against this growing problem,” Democratic Alliance Youth chairman Yusuf Cassim said in a statement.
He would ask portfolio committee on higher education chairwoman Yvonne Phosa to compel Nzimande to investigate the extent of violence on university campuses, and to present the findings to the committee.
Cassim said an increase in campus security could be a solution.
“This issue requires urgent action. Campuses should serve as safe havens for education and enrichment of our students. Students should not live in fear.”
Three Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students were arrested after the murder of a fellow student on Saturday night, police Warrant Officer Matthews Nkoadi said earlier.
They were allegedly involved in the fatal stabbing of a student at the Soshanguve North campus. Another student was critically injured.
Nkoadi said it appeared that the student who died and the injured student had stabbed each other during a fight.
“They (the three students) have been charged with murder, attempted murder, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.”
The men, aged between 21 and 22, would appear in the Soshanguve Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.
TUT spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter confirmed the arrests.
AfriForum Youth chairman Henk Maree said Nzimande was “nowhere to be seen” when it came to campus safety matters.
“Dr Nzimande 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 demographics are more important to the minister than the safety of university students,” Maree said.
Sapa