Pretoria – Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has called on communities and all arms of the State to work together to track down and bring to book arsonists who are destroying education infrastructure.
Minister Nzimande made the call following the latest arson attack, where a procurement building at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was set alight at the weekend.
“Enough is enough, and it is time all South Africans joined hands to stop this madness. It cannot be that this tiny band of anarchists, who are hiding behind legitimate stakeholder concerns, can continue to hold this nation to ransom, and be allowed to destroy our young democracy and the future of our students, their families and communities.
“Indeed, and whatever the issues are, there can never be a rational justification for the destruction of assets that we as a country need to empower the next generation so that they can play their full role in building South Africa and its economy,” said Minister Nzimande.
He said it is time that communities, parents, students, staff and faith leaders mobilise even more in protection of the country’s learning and teaching facilities.
“I also can’t stress enough that government and universities must and will remain open to dialogue with all stakeholders, but lawlessness and other acts of criminality will never be tolerated,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Minister Nzimande is continuing with his intensive meetings and discussions with the full range of stakeholders in higher education, including students, academics, support staff organisations and administrators, as government seeks lasting and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the sector. –
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