SATCO Demands Action On EThekwini TVET Student Evictions
SATCO Demands Action On EThekwini TVET Student Evictions. The South African Students Congress (SASCO) in Durban has raised alarm over a growing crisis at EThekwini TVET College. The organisation has publicly condemned the recent student evictions from college residences, placing the blame on a critical administrative failure. According to SASCO, the evictions are a result of EThekwini TVET College’s alleged delay in submitting 2024 academic results to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) a delay with severe consequences for the most vulnerable students.
This article takes a deeper look at the situation, the root causes, the demands made by SASCO, and the broader implications for higher education in South Africa.
Student Evictions at EThekwini TVET College
Over the past few weeks, several students residing in EThekwini TVET College accommodation have been forced out of their residences. These evictions reportedly stemmed from the college’s failure to submit necessary academic results to NSFAS, thereby halting funding and causing delays in payments to service providers, including student housing partners.
For many students who depend entirely on NSFAS financial aid, the sudden cut-off of housing support has been devastating. Students were evicted without notice, leaving many homeless, disoriented, and at risk of academic failure.
SASCO Response: Condemnation and Call for Justice
In a strongly-worded public statement, SASCO Durban Central Region labelled the student evictions as “inhumane” and “reckless.” The organisation declared that this was not merely an unfortunate administrative oversight, but a gross failure of responsibility by multiple stakeholders.
SASCO made it clear that accountability must be assigned to:
- EThekwini TVET College
- The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
- The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
They argued that the delay in submitting academic results reflects a broader culture of administrative incompetence and a lack of urgency, especially when it comes to students’ basic needs like shelter and education continuity.
Impact on Students and Academic Performance
The mid-academic year timing of these evictions adds another layer of urgency to the crisis. Many of the affected students were preparing for exams or in the middle of practical assessments when they were removed from their residences.
Here’s a summary of the key consequences faced by affected students:
| Consequences of Evictions | Impact on Students |
|---|---|
| Loss of accommodation | Left homeless or forced to seek shelter elsewhere |
| Financial stress | Unable to afford private accommodation without NSFAS |
| Emotional and psychological distress | Mental health and dignity severely impacted |
| Disrupted academic focus | Lowered performance, missed tests or project deadlines |
| Increased dropout risk | Higher chance of withdrawal or academic failure |
SASCO has emphasized that these outcomes are avoidable and stem from avoidable delays and negligence.
SASCO Three Immediate Demands
In an effort to restore order and dignity for the affected students, SASCO issued three immediate demands:
- EThekwini TVET College must urgently submit all outstanding 2024 academic results to NSFAS.
- NSFAS must expedite the processing of student funding and ensure backdated payments are made to landlords or service providers.
- The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) must intervene, ensure accountability, and prevent future recurrence of such incidents.
SASCO’s approach is firm and uncompromising, reflecting the deep frustration of students across the region.
Warning of Mass Mobilisation
The students’ organisation has not ruled out protest action. The statement warns that if no action is taken to resolve the crisis, students may be forced to mobilise and escalate the matter publicly.
“Failure to act will leave us with no choice but to mobilise and take this battle to the streets. We will confront incompetence with resistance, and indifference with mass action,” SASCO warned.
This is a powerful signal to both NSFAS and the DHET that students will no longer accept administrative dysfunction that jeopardises their education and well-being.
A Call for Systemic Change
This incident sheds light on broader systemic issues in the TVET sector, especially when it comes to funding delays, administrative backlogs, and poor communication between institutions and government bodies.
While NSFAS is intended to be a lifeline for underprivileged students, its effectiveness is compromised when colleges fail to submit timely documentation, or when payment systems fail to deliver support on schedule.
This is not the first such incident. Similar protests and crises have emerged in other parts of the country, often pointing to a broken feedback loop between:
- College Registrars
- NSFAS Coordinators
- DHET Officials
Unless this loop is fixed, more evictions, funding delays, and academic disruptions are inevitable.
Accountability Is Non-Negotiable
SASCO has made one point very clear: The dignity of students is non-negotiable.
Every student, regardless of their financial background, has the right to secure accommodation, access to financial support, and a conducive learning environment. When this right is denied due to administrative failure, it becomes a social injustice.
In conclusion, the demand for urgent intervention at EThekwini TVET College must be seen as part of a larger conversation about fixing the TVET education system and ensuring that NSFAS works as intended—for the students.
Conclusion
The EThekwini TVET College student eviction crisis has highlighted serious administrative and policy gaps in South Africa’s student financial aid ecosystem. As SASCO demands swift action and threatens mobilisation, the pressure is mounting on all stakeholders to act responsibly.
