Durban - A group of students at the Pietermaritzburg Further Education and Training (FET) College campuses, who have allegedly been threatening staff and disrupting lectures, have been ordered to cease and desist or face going to jail.
In terms of an order granted in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday, the seven students, who were identified by name, are interdicted and restrained from threatening, harassing and intimidating lecturers and employees of the colleges.
They have also been ordered not to blockade or disrupt any educational activity of the college at any of the campuses in Pietermaritzburg.
The order follows an application by the acting principal of the uMgungundlovu FET College earlier this month to bar the students from disrupting the campus.
Two campuses, Plessislaer and Msunduzi, were shut down after violent protests, threats and intimidation by students.
In an affidavit, Casper Johannes de Koker explained he had been appointed acting principal on June 3.
His appointment followed the resignations of two of his predecessors, who were “driven away by rebel students”.
He said the “ringleaders” among the students were “out to govern” the FET college and whenever they did not approve of decisions by campus management, they would whip up emotional support from others and disrupt educational activities, often causing damage.
He also cited instances when staff of the college were threatened with death by the specified students, who claim to be affiliated to the South African Students Congress.
The seven have since been suspended from the college pending disciplinary hearings.
Daily News