TVET Students Evicted After Protest Chaos Back In Residences
TVET Students Evicted After Protest Chaos Back In Residences. The recent unrest at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College has brought to light the growing tension between student needs and institutional shortcomings. What started as frustration over unpaid NSFAS allowances escalated into protests, arson, and evictions—forcing urgent action from education stakeholders, local government, and community leaders.
Chaos at Northern Cape Urban TVET College: A Timeline of Events
On the evening of June 4, 2025, chaos broke out at the central office of Northern Cape Urban TVET College, located on Long Street in Kimberley. Around 300 students, most of whom had been evicted from their college residences due to non-payment of rent, gathered in protest. Their primary grievance? Delays in receiving their NSFAS allowances.
According to the police, the protest escalated into violence as students blockaded Long Street, pelted the building with stones, and allegedly set the office on fire. The South African Police Service (SAPS) responded by deploying the Kimberley Public Order Police, who dispersed the crowd with a stun grenade. Thankfully, no injuries or arrests were reported.
Why Were TVET Students Evicted?
At the heart of the issue lies a serious delay in NSFAS disbursements. Students depend heavily on these allowances to pay for accommodation, food, toiletries, and other essential needs. However, many had not received a cent for over six months, prompting landlords to evict them for non-payment.
| NSFAS Status | Number of Students Affected |
|---|---|
| Received partial allowance | 15% |
| Received no allowance | 85% |
| Facing eviction due to non-payment | 70% |
| Unable to buy basic necessities | 65% |
The Student Representative Council (SRC) reported that evicted students had no choice but to camp outside the college. As they were in the middle of June examinations, many were left mentally distressed and academically disadvantaged.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Poor Living Conditions
The SRC also highlighted the deteriorating condition of student hostels, labeling many as dilapidated and uninhabitable. Some residences lacked basic sanitation and proper maintenance. Additionally, they claimed that only a minority of students had received their full funding, with the majority unable to afford even basic hygiene products.
Meanwhile, questions arose about college spending. The Public Servants Association (PSA) raised concerns about alleged expenditures, including:
- R12 million on a single campus gate
- Four water tanks installed across campuses, which were reportedly non-functional
Government and Stakeholder Response
Following the crisis, a series of emergency meetings took place on June 5, 2025, involving:
- College management
- NSFAS officials
- Community leaders
- Political parties
- Landlords
- Student representatives
The ANC Youth League played a pivotal role, with its provincial chairperson Venus Blennies-Magage facilitating communication between students and the Department of Higher Education. This led to the NSFAS chief operations coordinator arriving in Kimberley the next day to address the issue directly.
| Action Item | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Accommodation for evicted students | Immediate |
| Payment to verified landlords | By 25 June 2025 |
| Establishment of bi-monthly stakeholder forum | Ongoing |
| Assessment of office damage and repairs | Initiated |
Institutional Concession and Payment Commitments
To ease the situation, Boston Lecholo, manager of student services at Northern Cape Urban TVET College, confirmed that a concession had been granted. This measure aimed to fast-track landlord payments within two weeks, resolving the backlog.
Lecholo cited technical glitches as the cause of delays, including:
- Incorrect tariffs
- Issues with vetting and grading landlords
He assured that the problems had now been resolved and that an assessment of the fire damage would commence shortly.
Political Reactions and Calls for Accountability
ANC Reaction
The ANC provincial spokesperson, Sandiseni Sithole, welcomed the interventions but condemned the arson attack, noting that it endangered student safety and public property.
“We do not condone violence, but this issue must be resolved swiftly. Students cannot be left vulnerable, especially in a time when gender-based violence and femicide are national concerns,” said Sithole.
DA Reaction
Desiree van der Walt, DA’s deputy spokesperson on higher education, criticized both the NSFAS delays and the students’ extreme reaction.
“While the delay is unacceptable, setting fire to campus offices is not a solution. These extreme actions only make matters worse and harm the students’ academic future.”
She emphasized the need for NSFAS to complete its reconciliation process urgently to ensure smooth disbursements.
FF+ Perspective
Dr Wynand Boshoff, the FF+ provincial leader, warned that the increasing number of students not receiving NSFAS allowances signaled a looming national crisis.
“This program is meant to be a social safety net. If students are continuously denied access to funds, it defeats the entire purpose of financial aid.”
Deeper Issues Within NSFAS and Higher Education Funding
This incident is not isolated. Across the country, NSFAS delays and payment inconsistencies have led to similar protests and dissatisfaction. The shift from third-party payment service providers back to NSFAS has been cited as a cause of reconciliation backlogs.
Without addressing structural inefficiencies within NSFAS, such disruptions will continue to affect TVET colleges, students’ mental health, and ultimately, academic performance.
Rebuilding Trust and Accountability
While calm has now been restored at Northern Cape Urban TVET College, the damage to student trust and public confidence is substantial. Rebuilding will require:
- Transparent payment systems
- Regular stakeholder meetings
- Renovation of student accommodation
- Accountability for unjustifiable spending
- Student mental health support during crisis periods
A multi-stakeholder forum, which will meet every two months, has been established to proactively address student welfare, landlord relations, and administrative gaps. This initiative could serve as a model for other institutions facing similar challenges.
FAQs About TVET Students Evicted After Protest Chaos Back In Residences
Why were Northern Cape Urban TVET College students evicted from residences?
Ans: Students were evicted due to the non-payment of rent, as many had not received their NSFAS allowances for over six months. This left landlords unpaid and students homeless.
What caused the fire at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College office?
Ans: A protest by around 300 students escalated into violence on June 4, during which the central office was allegedly set alight. Police are investigating it as a case of arson.
What actions are being taken to resolve the NSFAS allowance delays?
Ans: Emergency meetings have resulted in NSFAS committing to pay verified landlords by June 25, accommodate evicted students immediately, and form a bi-monthly forum to address issues regularly.
Conclusion
The events at Northern Cape Urban TVET College offer a sobering reminder of what happens when financial aid systems fail the very people they are meant to support. Students rely on NSFAS allowances not just for education but for survival. While arson and protests should never be condoned, they reflect the desperation many young people feel when left unheard and unsupported.
