IN CONVERSATION WITH VUSI MOKWENA

The South African Union of Students has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing campus safety crisis at institutions of higher learning across the country, following the release of recent crime statistics highlighting incidents of theft, assault and harassment on university campuses. According to SAUS, the findings reinforce longstanding concerns raised by students about unsafe learning environments that expose them to fear, insecurity and vulnerability while pursuing their studies. The organisation argues that every student has a constitutional right to access education in a safe, dignified and conducive environment, and that persistent crime on campuses undermines both student wellbeing and academic success. A major concern highlighted by SAUS is the prevalence of theft, particularly of laptops, cellphones and tablets, which are essential tools for academic participation. The organisation notes that many students come from working-class and disadvantaged backgrounds and are unable to replace stolen devices, resulting in academic setbacks and, in some cases, students abandoning their studies altogether. Instagram · Twitter