In the middle of the 2020 academic year, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) abruptly deregistered more than 100 students.
These students who were all in the faculty of science, engineering and technology said that they registered in February 2020 but months later the university claimed that their registrations were "illegal".
By May 2020 the students were removed from the academic system and were unable to write their final exams.
They are now accusing the university of "unlawful" exclusion and are fighting for their future.
They were deregistered by the university for failing major modules however the academic records which they have show that they have passed.
One of the students Zintle Sali, who studied analytical chemistry says that WSU is still deducting fees even after they were removed from the academic system and some students are now owing large amounts of money to the university.
"I owe WSU all of a sudden but WSU was owing me and I'm owing WSU R90 000," said Sali.
She also mentions that accommodation expenses are still being paid even though students are being evicted.
Another student said that her mental health was so badly affected by this that she attempted to take her own life.
"I have always suffered from anxiety, so this has just made it worse... there were even times whereby I actually tried to kill myself," she said.
The Student Representative Council at WSU says that the university committed fraud as they took the registration template and claimed the funding from NSFAS.
“We spent a good part of the year focusing on our studies, and to be told this academic year will not count has a ripple effect on our schooling," said Sali.
She says that most of the students are funded by NSFAS and that they have been receiving their funds even though they have been deregistered from the university.
“Next year, NSFAS will need our 2020 academic records and we will have nothing to show. How will we secure funding to further our studies next year?"
"This matter has brought nothing but pain and disruption. Many of us have given up on this academic year,” Sali said.
The university sent eNCA a voicenote saying that the matter was receiving top priority and that an SRC meeting will take place to bring it to completion as soon as possible.
The students are now calling on NSFAS and the Higher Education Minister to intervene on the matter.
