The South African Students Congress (SASCO) today embarked on a National Day of Action which was meant to address concerns it has around TVET sector and its poor state. SASCO strongly believes that improving the state of TVETs is the only way in which we will address the skills shortage and graduate unemployment.
SASCO has today submitted 15 demands which the South African Government must address urgently as a response in improving the college’s.
We are deeply disturbed by the fact that in Gauteng, the Presidency and Union Buildings has unleashed SAPS on unarmed students and arrested 10 students for protesting. The same government which has failed to defend the state property and itself at Senekal in Free State has today the audacity to fire at unarmed students but run away from racists who undermine the rule of law.
It is as a result of the arrogance displayed today by some Premiers and the Presidency that we have decided to render this country ungovernable and shutdown all institutions of Higher Education in this country until the President and his cabinet respond to our demands.
We call on all SASCO activists to close all institutions of Higher Learning until the President takes the voice of Students and Youth serious and give them the necessary attention.
We call on Minister Bheki Cele and SAPS to release the 10 students with immediate effect and drop any charges they are attempting to put on innocent and harmless students and invest their energies on arresting and dealing with the Senekal racists.
We shall not retreat until TVETs have risen and are institutions of choice.
Ends
Bamanye Matiwane
President
Buthanani Thobela
Secretary General
For Enquiries:
Luvuyo Barnes
Media and Communication Liaison
079 393 7131
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