MARGEAUX ERASMUS

Francois Cloete, VF+ Studente Chairperson

“I agree with AfriForum, UP did act unconstitutionally. There was a legitimate election held last year. Because of the delay with the results, a Temporary Student Committee (TSC) was formed again. This would discourage democracy at the University of Pretoria. VF+ feels that the results of last year’s election must be released and that a re-election would just waste time and money. Students don’t worry about stupid politics. They want a Student Representative Committee (SRC) that works for them and the policy of the party that they voted for in the Student Governance structure.”

Tokologo Ngakane, SASCO Chairperson

“While we respect AfriForum’s right to access the South African courts (it is what the ANC and other liberation movements fought for), we do, however, think it is quite petty and distasteful of AfriForum to go and solve student matters in a court instead of them showing a sign of remorse for transgressing the rules of the Student Governance constitution and the rules as set out by the IEC. As SASCO we will not be deterred in fighting for students of the university, especially students from working-class backgrounds. AfriForum must face up to their transgression, it’s as simple as that.”

Jordan Griffiths, DASO Chairperson

“This court case isn’t about the constitution but more about AfriForum attempting to save face and prove the university wrong. AfriForum have stated time and time again that they didn’t break any rules because of the fact that there are no written rules. However, there is one rule which is written down in our constitution which societies are aware of and that is that you must have any election material approved by the IEC before you distribute it. This is located in section 79C. Without their approval, no material goes out. AfriForum completely ignored this rule and as a result, it is the students of the University of Pretoria who suffer. Their behaviour undermined the democratic process and there was almost universal agreement among societies that the election wasn’t free and fair. While AfriForum will argue that the university went too far in announcing a re-election, the fact is that they have only themselves to blame. While AfriForum attempts to fight the university and preserve its reputation, the students will suffer as they still don’t have a fully empowered SRC. Unfortunately, it seems that in this whole process the needs of the students have been placed last.”

Thabo Mdlalose, Deputy Chairperson of COPE@TUKS

“AfriForum taking the university to court is unfortunate, however, well within their rights as a society on campus. COPE@Tuks applauds this bold stance by AfriForum as it clearly indicates the influence societies have at this institution. If the university is solely promoting student interests, we believe they would have released the results so that student parliament and the SRC were in order. They should’ve accepted the R50 000 fine AfriForum paid and released the results to ensure that the student votes were not in vain. The students of the University of Pretoria achieved nothing from the university’s stance of withholding the results. Who then benefited from this? Certainly not the students.”

Mthokozisi Nkosi, Temporary Student Committee (TSC) Chairperson

“The elections might have been free but they were certainly not fair at all. The university was therefore correct to impose punishment on AfriForum as that would help, in the long run, to send a strong message to societies that if election rules are broken there will be repercussions. AfriForum also has every right to challenge the decision made if they feel it isn’t fair.”