Ditshwanelo, and Lifeline concerned by UB unrest
Correspondent | Tuesday February 21, 2017 14:40
The strike subsequently led to the closure of the University, leaving 470 students from outside Gaborone without accommodation, according to the Gaborone Central Constituency Member of Parliament, Dr Phenyo Butale.
He consequently made arrangements for their temporary accommodation at the Gaborone Civic Centre.
According to media reports and information provided by students interviewed by Ditshwanelo, the strike was a result of students not being provided with their living allowance for two months, by the Department of Tertiary Education Funding (DTEF).
This led to some students being evicted by their landlords from their rented accommodation.
The students resorted to a strike after they had unsuccessfully tried to engage with the relevant officials, in order to address their increasingly desperate situation.
On Friday February 10, 2017, some students appeared before the Gaborone High Court to seek permission to be allowed to retrieve their belongings, which included medication for some of the students.
The court ruled that they were to be permitted 45 minutes to access their accommodation at the University.
This situation raises serious questions about the administration of the welfare of students, their right to education and their right to be heard. There were also allegations made about students being physically abused by the security agents. Ditshwanelo and Lifeline Botswana call on the Botswana Government to develop an effective response system to address issues raised by students and the general public to protect the rights of all, as well as ensuring minimal use of force to avoid abuse by public officials.