23 May 2000
The SACP has been closely following developments at the University of Durban-Westville (UDW) leading up to the fateful murder of Masophe Makhabane. Our KZN provincial structure continues to be involved in efforts to resolve the UDW dispute.
The SACP condemns the killing of Masophe Makhabane by the SA Police Services. The SACP sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Masophe. We share your pain and anger. His death is not acceptable in a democratic South Africa, eve n worse, in an academic institution. We condemn the use of brutal and savage force by the SAPS in dealing with student protests.
We therefore call for the following: -
In resolving the crisis, the SACP calls for more attention to be paid to the need for affordable tertiary education through increased state financial support. The burden borne by poor students and lack of access to quality and affordable education are a re sult of capitalist inequalities and decreasing social spending in our country. This is what is killing many poor students and increasing the burden of unemployment and poverty.
We fully support the initiative to launch a Masophe Makhabane Bursary Fund and the written memorial of prose and poetry. The SACP will, in the context of our alliance, assist in the mobilisation of resources from government, organisations and communities f or these initiatives.
The SACP will fully participate at the memorial service for Masophe Makhabane to be held at Wits University on 24 May 2000.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information & Publicity
South African Communist Party
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org