MATSAPHA: Gwamile Vocational and Commercial Training Institute Matsapha ( Gwamile VOCTIM) has been closed with immediate effect following a students’ protest over allowances.
In a Memorandum released by the college’s administration on Friday, the students were told to vacate the institutions’ premises by 3 pm.
“All students and teaching staff are informed that the college is closed with immediate effect in light of the students’ demonstration until further notice. Boarders are to vacate the hostel today 30 April 2021 by 3pm”, reads the memorandum.
Thulani Mkhaliphi, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security had not responded to our questionnaire at the time of compiling this report.
When reached for comments, Colani Maseko, the President of the Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS) said they were in solidarity of the students\' struggle adding that they would be standing beside them until their demands were met.
“As I speak, as SNUS we are at the institution in solidarity of the struggle. The students are complaining that they don’t have money for transport as they have been told to vacate the premises by 3 pm, the administration is now planning to engage the infamous Operation Support Service Unit\'s (OSSU) riot squad in order to drive them out of the college. The students are demanding allowances from government and quality services from the college; they are forced to pay for WIFI services which are non-existent, the food is bad, and their dormitories have leaking roofs”, said the SNUS President.
Gwamile Voctim closed as students boycott classes over allowances.