JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Learners at the Central Johannesburg TVET College have mobilized in a mass demonstration, calling for the immediate removal of the institution’s acting principal. The escalating strike is driven by mounting allegations of corruption, severe financial mismanagement, and a crippling NSFAS crisis that has left the student body without essential financial support.
Frustration boiled over after student leaders revealed a formal petition, backed by more than 1,000 signatures, demanding the acting principal step down. Demonstrators emphasized that the administrator has held the acting role for two years and two months. This duration directly contravenes the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) guidelines, which strictly cap acting principal appointments at a maximum of 12 months.
Beyond the leadership dispute, the protest highlighted a cascade of administrative breakdowns. A Student Representative Council (SRC) chairperson, detailed how learners are facing evictions and a critical shortage of adequate student accommodation. Compounding this distress, students have not received their NSFAS allowances since January, a situation he attributed to repeated administrative errors by the college’s management.
The SRC has reportedly spent over six months attempting to rectify the NSFAS data discrepancies. According to him, management repeatedly requested Excel spreadsheets containing student data, which the student leaders diligently submitted. However, the reports were never actioned, creating a major administrative crisis that now prevents current students from registering for the new semester due to unresolved carryover issues from the previous term.
Adding to the tension are claims of systematic victimization. The chairperson stated that the SRC has been actively silenced for advocating on behalf of the student body. Both the SRC president and the chairperson, in their capacity as chairperson, were suspended by the deputy principal after persistently fighting for student rights and raising governance concerns.
In a bid to break the deadlock, the student body has escalated the matter to the national government. The SRC confirmed they have directly contacted the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, as well as the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim, pleading for urgent intervention to stabilize the institution.
Following these appeals, a departmental head has reportedly arrived on campus and is currently in the office, working alongside CJC management and the SRC to mediate and resolve the ongoing disputes. Meanwhile, the college management has not yet issued a public statement addressing the allegations or the students’ demands.