UKZN Students Released After Protest Amid Payment System Controversy. In a recent turn of events, two University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students who were arrested for their involvement in damages caused during a university protest have been released. This surprising development occurred after it was revealed that their case had not been enrolled in court. Let’s delve into the details of the incident and the underlying issues that sparked the protest.
Arrest and Anticipated Court Appearance
Last week, the UKZN campus was rocked by a protest where university property was damaged. Two students were arrested in connection with the protest. The arrest took place on a Thursday, and they were initially expected to appear in front of the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on the following Monday. However, the anticipated court appearance did not materialize due to the discovery that the case had not been enrolled for proceedings.
Protest Against New Payment System
The protest that led to the arrest of these students was centered around the vehement opposition to the new direct payment system known as Tenet Technology. This system had been adopted by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), and its implementation had stirred controversy since its inception.
Issues with Tenet Technology
The new payment system, which was launched at the end of June, marked a significant departure from the previous arrangement. Under the Tenet Technology system, Nsfas took charge of appointing suppliers to manage payments. This change meant that universities were no longer involved in the payment process or the appointment of suppliers.
Unfortunately, the transition to Tenet Technology has not been smooth, as students reported encountering problems right from the beginning. These issues have added fuel to the fire of discontent, culminating in the protest that eventually led to the arrests of the two UKZN students.
Conclusion
The release of the arrested UKZN students due to the non-enrollment of their case highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding the recent protest and the new payment system. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how UKZN and Nsfas will address the concerns of students and find a resolution that benefits all parties involved.
