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SAHRC welcomes court ruling setting aside Unisa student intake reduction
March 11, 2021
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has welcomed a decision by the courts to set aside a decision by the Minister of Higher Education, Balde Nzimade, to reduce the student intake numbers at the Univesity of South Africa (Unisa).
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has welcomed a decision by the courts to set aside a decision by the Minister of Higher Education, Balde Nzimade, to reduce the student intake numbers at the Univesity of South Africa (Unisa).
The application had been brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) after Nzimande reportedly issued a directive to Unisa to reduce its first-time student intake by 20 000.
EFFSC president, Mandla Shikhwambana said they "found it very pointless from our that it cannot be that such a number of students are going to be rejected".
The SAHRC had been admitted as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the urgent court matter, and the Chapter 9 institution's Andre Gaum said they welcomed the decision, which was handed down on Thursday
"This core decision is welcomed by the commission," he said.
"We maintain that from the outset this was a retrogressive step and not a progressive step towards realising the right to education for all prospective students."
The judgment came as students across the country were taking to the streets over financial exclusion in the tertiary education sector.
Source: Jacaranda FM
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The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.
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