Angry students shut down campus

to pay their accommodation allowances for three consecutive months.

Speaking t our Xpress

Times reporter, student leaders on campus said life had become unbearable for the affected students, as their allowances allowed them to pay rent and also buy food as all of them live in off-campus accommodation.

“More than half of the student population have not been paid their allowances for three months. Some of our fellow students have even been kicked out of their accommodation due to failure to honour their rentals. This is unacceptable. Students cannot continue suffer like this while NSFAS is supposed to honour its obligation to pay monthly accommodation allowances,” a student leader pointed out.

When Xpress Times arrived on campus on Tuesday (yesterday) morning, the campus was completely deserted, with all students and staff members standing off outside campus, amid heavy presence of security personnel.

The Regional Secretary of the ANC Youth League in the General Gizenga Mpanza

Centre celebrated the school's 40th anniversary on Friday last week. The day involved demonstrations by Badul Air Aviation and

Region (GGMR), Xolani Skade, arrived on campus to provide political intervention. Through his mediation, the students were promised that their allowances would be paid no the 26th of April, however many of the students were not happy with this explanation, as some f them have already been kicked out of their accommodation, while others had nothing to eat in their rented cottages. The students vowed to continue with their protest until their allowances were paid.

Former KZN Sports Arts and Culture NEC, Amanda BaniMapena

By Xpress Reporter

The ANC in KwaZuluNatal has accepted the resignation of MEC for Sports Arts and Culture, Amanda Bani-Mapena, who has stepped down from her executive position with immediate effect.

Mapena's resignation was confirmed in a statement by the KZN Provincial Executive Council (EXCO), which extended a word of thanks to Mapena for her contribution whilst she was part of the KZN EXCO.

ANC Provincial Secretary

Bheki Mtolo said while the party has accepted Mapena's resignation as MEC, the party has declined her resignation as member of the provincial Legislature (MPL).

“Comrade Amanda doubled her efforts towards ensuring that KZN maintains its spot as the host of national and international sporting events. Her hard work was based on the fact that she understood over the years, this province produced athletes and artists that are respected the world over.

“Our athletes and artists are respected because of their amazing talent not because of the colour of their skin. We acknowledge the fact that during her term of office she pioneered the rollout of sporting facilities in deep rural areas and the townships.

“We are confident that the Premier Cde Nomusa DubeNcube will ensure the deployment of a capable cadre that will build on the foundation that has been laid by Comrade Amanda and many other deployees of the ANC before her,” Mtolo stated.

Meanwhile, the KwaZuluNatal executive Committee (EXCO) has acknowledged the contribution made by Mapena whilst in office. EXO said Mapena was “dedicated” to her work.

“The Executive Council thanked the MEC for her commitment and dedication to her work.

EXCO also expressed gratitude and appreciation for MEC Bani-Mapena's service to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and for the leadership she has provided in the department. EXCO wished the MEC well in her future endeavours.

“The Premier will make an announcement in due course about the appointment of a new MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture. The Acting MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture is MEC Bongi Sithole-Moloi who is also the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,” EXCO said.

A child (3) was ejected after a bakkie crashed into a wall

By Xpress Reporter

A 3-year-old child sustained critical injuries after being ejected from a vehicle, in Isithebe on Tuesday last week.

IPSS Medical Rescue reports that the child was sitting in the back of the bakkie, with two adults sitting in the front, when the vehicle lost control and crashed into a wall, resulting in the child being flung out.

“The 3-year-old was found to be in a critical condition and additional resources were immediately dispatched. IPSS Medical Rescue's advanced life support worked to stabilise the patient on scene, while the AMS helicopter was activated to the area. The child has been airlifted to a suitable facility for the urgent care required.

“The two adult patients were transported to a nearby facility for further care,” stated IPSS Medical Rescue. The cause of the accident is being investigated by SAPS.