Walter Sisulu University protests: Student leaders say grievances persist despite SAHRC probe

Student leaders at Walter Sisulu University say, despite the outcomes of the South African Human Rights Commission's probe into the institution, their grievances have not been resolved. 

The commission issued a report on the May 2024 unrest, in which 13 students were allegedly shot at with live ammunition.  

While the SRC has welcomed the report, it's concerned that student concerns, including transport, allowances, and poor living conditions, still exist at the university.  

Part of the commission's recommendations to Walter Sisulu University is for a structured grievance meeting to be held with the SRC, within sixty days.  

But the SRC says that in two months, the institution will have started the 2026 academic year.  

Src member - Asandile Landu says the issues that often result in protests may spark more demonstrations. 

 “I did raise that in the commission that the issues that we are fighting are not new, we are having incidents like this every year, where the university will hire private security to shoot students, claiming that they are protecting their property - while protecting the property, you should also be protecting the lives of students.” 

Lunda cited this year's April protest, which resulted in the death of student Sisonke Mbolekwa.  

He says they want the commission to ensure such protests do not occur.  

The commission has also discouraged protests that take place at the start of every academic year.