DStv Channel 403 Saturday, 21 December 2024

Students stranded in Russia say government ignoring their pleas

JOHANNESBURG - South African students in Russia are facing a difficult time.

They haven’t been receiving payments for their tuition fees and their stipends.

Over 200 students are facing eviction and expulsion from their universities. 

READ: Aspen partners with DIRCO to evacuate SA students from Ukraine

The students say that the South African government has ignored their cries for help.

“In my own words, I feel like the government has been so ignorant about the situation," said student Promise Ngobeni.

"In July we had a meeting where they told us there is no longer middleman that will be dealing with us.

"We asked them if they had a plan. They ignored us, they said they had plans."

READ: Russia-Ukraine conflict | SA student stuck in Ukraine

Another student said stipends have been delayed for about three months now. 

"Students tell us that, they last received their stipends from the previous agent," said Innocent Mpofu.

"The government has been dragging their feet with payments. For July and August students received their stipends.

"The situation right now is that the department’s failure to disburse payments for September and October.”

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