04 Oct 2020

Palapye Administrative Authority (PAA) Chairperson, Ms Khumoyame Lekoko has pledged the local authority’s support to the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) students.

She made the pledge when addressing the institution’s Student Representative Council (SRC) executive committee, after a recent demonstration, when students demanded their allowances to be credited despite assurance that the Department of Tertiary Funding (DTF) would pay the allowances on September 29.

The demonstration resulted in tear gas and rubber bullets being fired at the demonstrating students and four were injured.

Ms Lekoko said the students were an asset and the future of the country, especially in its quest to move to a knowledge based economy.

She urged the SRC, to in future, liaise with the PAA and local authority about issues of concern if there was a misunderstanding with the institution’s management, rather than resorting to demonstrations.

She said she was happy that calm had been restored and assured the students that their concerns with the school’s management, would be resolved.

She said her office would be in constant contact with the university management and the Minister of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology for updates.

For his part, the SCR President, Mr Mathiba Madigele noted that students had engaged in a peaceful demonstration, as they had gotten agitated thinking that they would not get their allowances, which were always paid late.

For his part, the BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo said the demonstration was not necessary, as students were told that DTF would deposit their allowances on September 29, which indeed happened.

He said he was very disappointed by the students’ behavior, as some interrupted lessons and forced students out of classes.

Prof. Totolo said he had a meeting with the SRC and assured the students that their allowances would be paid the following day before the demonstrations, but upon returning to his office, the students started demonstrating, resulting in the institution’s security calling the police to intervene as students had blocked the roads with rocks and dust bins, blocking anybody from leaving the premises.

He said upon arrival, law enforcement officers called on the students to disperse, but some prompted their colleagues to refuse to cooperate and became violent; throwing sticks and stones at the police, which resulted in teargas and rubber bullets being fired.

The Vice Chancellor said it was unfortunate and disturbing that such an unnecessary event took place, but assured the delegation, which included the district commissioners, Council Secretary, Land board officers and customary court leadership, that everything was in order.

He promised to keep in touch with them and the ministry as well as give an update on progress of investigations. ENDS