Hundreds of Nelson Mandela University students could be ordered to vacate their student digs after being told they were no longer funded.
In a letter sent to students this week, housing provider Premier Student Accommodation (PSA) said the university had confirmed their financial status remained “unfunded”.
“At the beginning of the academic year, PSA agreed to house unfunded students in good faith,” the letter, seen by The Herald, says.
“PSA has since engaged extensively with representatives from the university and the SRC but has been unable to secure any commitment regarding payment towards accommodation for unfunded students.
“Due to the immense financial burden caused by housing hundreds of unfunded students it has become unsustainable to continue housing students without any financial return.”
However, NMU spokesperson Primarashni Gower said the university was aware of the unresolved issues between some of the students residing at Premier Student Accommodation and the owners of the establishment and had since intervened.
“The university has managed to obtain interim relief, with the owner agreeing to defer the contemplated action until next week while all the parties explore possible solutions.”
Students were given until Friday to pack up, return their access cards and vacate the properties.
In response, the SA Students Congress (Sasco) raised the alarm over the timing of the eviction notices, just days before re-examinations begin on July 14.
“On July 9, while most students were on recess, these students received eviction notices instructing them not to return to their residences for the second semester,” Sasco said.
Sasco said it had repeatedly tried to engage university management, warning the evictions would directly affect students preparing for exams and returning for the start of the second semester on July 21.
NMU student Sibulele Mdlankomo said the situation had resulted in undue stress and described it as a big mess.
“Where must we go now? Some of us have nowhere else,” she said.
“Some of us are meant to write re-exams next week. Where are we supposed to study?
“How do you focus when you’re packing your things with nowhere to go?
“They told us we were safe, that things were being sorted out. Now suddenly we’re getting kicked out.
“It doesn’t make sense — it feels like we’ve been lied to.”
Another student, who declined to be named, said: “We’re not just numbers. We’re students trying to change our lives.
“But right now, it feels like no-one cares what happens to us.
“I had just started to believe I could finish my studies. This is a slap in the face. I feel helpless.”
Gower said the university would endeavour to resolve the situation.
“This includes certifying the funding status of the affected students and those who may have been defunded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.”
NSFAS and PSA did not respond by the time of publication.
The Herald
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