THE POOR AND MARGINALISED OFF-CAMPUS PRIVATE RESIDENCE STUDENTS

These students, who are staying in private off-campus residences that are not accredited by universities or NSFAS, are crime scenes. The only currency universities have is the condolences message, the only currency. They are poor and neglected cousins at universities. This is a systemic structural failure within the higher education sector for all the parties involved. It is just like a human dung place where Black poverty meets exploitation. It is a space where rape culture finds fertile ground and where unscrupulous landlords behave like vultures hunting rent. It is a space where universities and the government offer nothing except press-release condolences after the untimely demise of poor students.

It is a pity because these crime scenes can be preventable if there is a willingness from universities and the government to stop the scourge of crime. Some of these students are first-generation students in their families and communities. They live in filthy, overcrowded, and inhumane living conditions. These spaces are not conducive to a student living and learning environment. Despite condolences from the government and universities, the human tragedy continues unabated. There is no protection service from landlords and universities, even remote policing services from SAPS. They are meat and flesh for criminals. The universities and municipalities just shrug their shoulders. The families of deceased students receive condolences, and with or without a small funeral collection, but the crime scene remains bigger by the day and unabated.

STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS:

• Unaccredited, overcrowded housing and unregulated space by municipalities and universities.

• Landlords are incentivised solely by high rent fees. This rent-seeking takes precedence over human life.

• The victims are overwhelmingly poor, unfunded, and from previously disadvantaged communities.

• They are not universities’ problems, say the universities, while profiting from the student enrolment fees.

• GBV is endemic in and around these student housing spaces.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• These spaces must be accredited and inspected by universities and municipalities.

• The universities must take full responsibility and accountability for off-campus students.

• The moral and social justice compass of universities must be displayed by protecting the entire student population.

• Universities must introduce funded survivor support and accessible reporting for all students.

• A living register of rape cases, students’ deaths and major harm to students’ limbs and bodies. The no register phenomenon enhances the culture of condolences only.

By

Dr Sefoko Ramoshaba