The recent disturbances at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Orlando High School are a really cause for concern as violence takes root in our society, sometimes in circumstances where people can engage without necessarily fighting or burning property.
AN arson attack at the University of Johannesburg in the early hours on Monday morning caused damage estimated at R100m, the university says.
Arsonists broke into and fire-bombed a 1,000 seat auditorium at UJ’s Auckland Park campus at around 2am. They also destroyed computer laboratories and equipment used for career assessment and guidance, the university says in a statement.
The facilities were to have been used for graduation ceremonies and mid-year assessments. Alternative arrangements were being made the university says to address the issue.
Across town in Soweto, pupils went on the rampage at Orlando High school last Thursday, targeting the administration block while protesting against the headmaster. Windows and doors were broken. Furniture was smashed, cupboards were emptied and files thrown out, and property including furniture and computers were looted.
On the same day, chaos ruled supreme at Vaal University of Technology, with police firing rubber bullets at students whilst one building was torched. Security has been an issue at the university since last year, when at least two students were found dead. Students have been calling for a new security company to replace the present one. Academic programmes were suspended and students were asked to vacate the premises.
Violence, whether justified or not, we think is not the best way forward as South Africa tries to build infrastructures for the benefit of future generations.
We believe communities and universities must device better and civil ways of engaging authorities whenever they have grievances or outstanding issues that need attention. Rather than engage in violence or burn the same buildings that will benefit scholars and pupils in future. People must make maximum use of the boardrooms. Only if negotiations fail that protests must be used to drive home a point, but still those protests must be peaceful and protect the infrastructure.
It is a democratic right to stage marches, but it is not a democratic right to destroy and burn buildings that should benefit the future generations. Burning and destroying infrastructure deprives the cause and other people who stand to benefit. It is unfortunate that lives were lost at Vaal University of Technology. We urge people to engage in robust dialogue.
Of more concern is the fact that the same violence is now cascading to high schools after the Orlando High School debacle. Instead of concentrating on studies, pupils now emulate the higher learning of institutions and engage in violence. This is very unfortunate and must stop.
