Classes at the University of Botswana have been cancelled for three days.
“With effect from the 24th, there will be no classes for 3 days while we come together as the UB management to find ways to calm the situation,” said Mhitshane Reetsang, the Director in the Department of Public Affairs at the University of Botswana.
Reetsang said the decision was taken after the students went on a violent rampage. She said during the strike, the students broke windows in several classes, including four blocks, quarter camps, and cafeteria in addition to breaking windows of vehicles parked in the school’s parking lots.
The students are also said to have assaulted one of the UB security man.
Reetsang confirmed the suspension of 5 members of the Student Representative Council (SRC) believed to have violated the student conduct. “The misconduct refers to the UB code of conduct because they disturbed the running of the school and tarnished its good name,” said Reetsang.
The suspended students are the SRC president, Vice president, Secretary General, Minister of Justice and the Secretary to the Minister of Justice. “Their suspension will be in effect from the 24th this month and they shall be informed when they should come back,” said Reetsang, adding that their problems will be discussed on Friday this week. “Right now we are finding ways to address their problems,” she said.
Botswana Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Christopher Mbulawa, said the police arrested four UB students on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“We intervened because there was malicious damage to property therefore the detained and arrested students are suspects,” said Mbulawa.
The Strike came about last week when the UB students and the Student Representative Council (SRC) raised a number of burning issues to the school management. Such issues include Intervarsity games, school bar, supplementary examinations and the School of Medicine.
