SAME SH*T DIFFERENT FORUM Student Forum: A Dictionary

Kirsten Minnaar

CSG

The Constitution for Student Governance (CSG) is the set of rules that governs how bodies of student governance operate.

Constitutional Tribunal

Banathi Nkehli

On 5 April, the SRC held the annual student forum in the AE du Toit Auditorium. Before the quarterly reports could be read, members in attendance wearing EFFSC regalia raised several points of order. This saw the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal, Lesedi Ngubeni, collapse the forum on the basis that it had been disrupted by the EFFSC.

The Forum

The forum began with introductions from the Chief Justice. Following this, SRC President Njabulo Sibeko began delivering his speech, until members wearing EFFSC regalia raised a point of order. Though the point of order was not raised in terms of any rule within the Rules for Student Forum, it was nevertheless raised and heard. The member in question raised concerns regarding the lawfulness of the gathering on procedural grounds, since the SRC reports were released as task team reports, as opposed to individual portfolio reports. The member explained that there is no way to determine the contribution of individual members of the SRC. In the member’s view, the Constitution for Student Governance (CSG) requires them to be released as individual portfolio reports, or it would render the gathering unlawful in terms of the CSG and the Rules for Student Forum. However, the Chief Justice had a different opinion. He stated, “The gathering wasn’t unlawful, so the point was invalid. If you refer to the Rules of Student Forum in terms of the releasing of reports, it doesn’t necessarily have to be from the members of the SRC individually; it can be interpreted as being released by a task team. So that’s why I decided, ‘Let’s continue with proceedings.’ ” Both positions, subject to interpretation, have merit on a reading of the CSG

On this point, the Chief Justice said, “It can be litigated on. Any ruling or point, someone can file an application with an independent impartial judge.”

After these points of order were raised, the Chief Justice collapsed the student forum, providing the following reasons: “Ultimately, it was my numerous warnings to the member who was defiant. Secondly, I am extremely against bringing in security, so use of force was something I was not gonna do. Finally, I didn’t want a tennis match between me and a member of the audience. If I made a ruling, I made a ruling.”

The Aftermath

Following the collapse of the forum, members in attendance were left wondering one thing: was this a setup? Tarik Lalla, member of the South African Students Congress (SASCO), stated: “As a coalition of structures, our questions were not answered. From what my comrades have said, in my opinion, I believe that this was a setup.” Lalla added, “We know that the majority of the members in the SRC who were more eager to work with SAUJS on the issue of raising funds are members of the EFFSC.” Lalla concluded, “Today was a disgrace because we came here to hold the SRC accountable, and the SRC saw fit to speak to their comrades outside the space to try and collapse it. It was too coordinated for my liking.”

Chairperson of the Palestinian Solidarity Committee (PSC) Meara Pillay shared her insights on the matter: “I think it was evident from how quickly the president left the auditorium, [and how] he let his comrades [sing and chant and gyrate] the entire time, it was a setup. They came here to collapse the forum. I think they need to call the EFF to order; they can’t collapse every forum and get away with it.”

Cameron Rodrigues, chairperson of the Socialist Youth Movement, stated, “I feel like it’s a setup, I won’t lie. I feel that way because the EFFSC-led SRC couldn’t control their comrades.” They continued, “I feel like the EFF purposely disrupted this so that the SRC cannot be held accountable by us asking our questions.”

A word from the SRC

Deputy Secretary of the SRC Christo Pretorius, who is in charge of the administrative functions of student forum, stated: “I was very personally disappointed because student forum rules indicate that I have to be consulted first [before dissolving student forum]. And the Chief Justice did not consult me on the matter and collapsed it in his capacity as presiding officer.” In terms of Rule 33(2) in the Rules for Student Forum, the Chief Justice “may” dissolve the forum after consultation with the deputy secretary, but this does not mean that the Chief justice is obligated to do so. On whether the collapse was orchestrated, Pretorius stated, “It is entirely possible that such things could happen. However, I do not think it was orchestrated, but I do not wish to speculate on the matter.”

Student forum collapsed, and the Chief Justice did not announce a rescheduled date.

The Constitutional Tribunal (Student Court) is the judicial arm of student governance. They function as an independent, impartial and objective student court. The Tribunal has a final say on how people read the CSG. This means that the Tribunal resolves students’ disputes, inter-society disputes and SRC constitutional matters.

SRC

The Student Representative Council (SRC) is the highest student governance structure at the University of Pretoria.

Student Forum

Student forum is a platform that allows the SRC and the student body to engage in various matters that are related to the student body at large, allowing students to hold the SRC accountable. The participants include the SRC, heads of faculty houses, societies, and house committee members of residence and day houses. Section 43 of the CSG governs the operation of student forums.

Rules for Student Forum

This legal document regulates the rules and procedures for student forum. In sum, it outlines what to do and how to do it at student forum.

Point of Order