LOCKDOWN RESPONDUS REJECTION PETITION

SASCO is a tried and tested organisation with a proven track record in fighting for students. Since the inception of the university of Mpumalanga some seven years ago, SASCO has been at the forefront of student struggles and has in the process rightfully earned its stripes. Along these years of painful struggle, the organisation has paid the price. It’s members have been charged numerous times, suspended and others expelled. This has happened to our members only with members of other organisations enjoying red carpet and VIP treatment from the management of this university. Following the dreadful, preposterous and uncritical introduction of the respondus software aimed at ensuring that the is no copying during online exams, SASCO has energetically rejected it through numerous deputations and delegations of the SRC. Many meetings have happened to discuss the matter between the SRC and the management but the management arrogantly refuse to suspend the system. As such, they insist that we will continue writing exams using this dreadful system. This means we are left with no other choice but to fight. In fact, fighting to us is never an issue. At any time, we can wake up and have the gate closed and face off with the police and fidelity security company with only stones and conviction. However, such always comes at a huge cost: our members get injured, others charged, expelled and suspended for years. Last year December, five of our members were expelled for leading a strike. Others were suspended and others injured. One even lost an eye in the process. We therefore do not want to expose our members and students to such a calamity this time around. Engaging in marches and protest never ends well at UMP. No protest or march, no matter how peaceful can prevent the management from charging students and expelling them. Cameras are all over the campus and they always provide management with footage to use them against students in disciplinary hearings and later find them guilty. However, this does not suggest we shall fold our arms. We therefore created this petition to be signed online. This will make it difficult for management to target anyone who have signed the petition. By signing this petition, you are supporting our rejection of the respondus system. The petition will be presented to the management by the SRC and if they continue not to listen, SASCO is prepared to approach the courts for redress on the unjust application of the respondus system. In the petition, your names may appear but none will be charged or accused of any wrong doing for signing a petition which he himself agrees to. We have approached the courts before and we will are prepared to approach them even this time around. The management should not impose this on us. Rather, it should make students choose between writing online or on campus, physically.

SASCO University of Mpumalanga    Contact the author of the petition