SRC crashes worry varsity

2003-06-06 10:40

Christi Naude

Pietermaritzburg - They may be getting the best education the University of Natal can offer, but it would seem students' representative council members aren't too bothered about learning the rules of the road.

A string of car accidents involving SRC members has prompted the university to review its policy.

According to the campus newspaper, Nux, the two SRC vehicles on the Pietermaritzburg campus were involved in seven accidents during 2002 and the early part of this year.

Dean of students Trevor Wills confirmed that while the SRC might discipline members who contravene its code of conduct, there are at present no university regulations that disqualify students from holding office even if they had been found guilty of offences.

"We have relied on pressure from their peers and SRC members' own consciences to step down, but will have to review that," he said.

R50 000 in damages

According to Nux, SRC deputy president Khanyiso Sam has been found guilty on two disciplinary charges and has two more pending.

One of the recent complaints lodged against him is that he drove an SRC vehicle without authorisation, and that an unlicensed driver (also allegedly an SRC member) drove the vehicle while Sam was in it.

Another student was recently charged with negligent and unauthorised driving after an SRC vehicle was in a smash, with more than R50 000 in damages.

The student apparently drove the vehicle at 118km/h along Commercial Road and then, travelling at more than 105km/h, tried to turn left into Loop Street and crashed.

One of the five unauthorised passengers had to have his right hand amputated.

Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League has been calling for the SRC to step down, after their "failure to serve and assist students in financial and accommodation exclusions".

In a memorandum handed to deputy vice-chancellor Professor Emmanuel Ngara, the students demanded that he (on behalf of the SRC) call a meeting of the student body to elect an interim structure before the election of a new SRC.

Campus ANC Youth League chairman Mdumiseni Ntuli said a meeting had been convened with Ngara for Saturday to discuss the legality of the last SRC elections, which returned a 17% poll.

- The Witness