A former principal of the troubled Tompi Seleka Agricultural College near Marble Hall in Limpopo has been roped in to provide support and strengthen the management of the institution.

Harry Ramaboea, who is currently a director responsible for animal production in the provincial department of agriculture and rural development, has been appointed to lead a high-level three-member delegation tasked with the responsibility of resolving problems that had plagued the college. Academic activities were suspended three weeks ago after students disrupted classes.

According to the spokesperson for the department, Selby Makgotho, the intervention team had been given six months to assist overcome the challenges facing the agricultural college. “I can confirm that a three-member intervention team led by a former principal has been appointed to provide support and strengthen the management at Tompi Seleka Agricultural College,” said Makgotho yesterday.

He said several engagements and interventions had been made and that classes would resume soon. “A catch-up plan has been drawn to make up for the lost time," he said, noting that students would be required to sign a code of conduct when classes resume committing to uphold and promote good behavioural patterns.

Students have not been attending classes since last month, citing various challenges which they claimed had not been attended to in a long time. Among those were outstanding bursary fees and transportation to the practicals. Cases of malicious damage to property and intimidation had been opened against protesting students after they barricaded the entrance to the college leading to confrontation with lecturers and some students not supporting the disruptions. The clashes resulted in the arrest of three students, further worsening the tensions at the institution of learning.

Attempts to speak to Meisie Mushi, the president of Students Representative Council, drew a blank yesterday. Her phone rang unanswered and messages had not been returned at the time of going to print. However, she had earlier said a decision whether or not to suspend the strike would be taken during a meeting with the students.

By late yesterday, it was still not clear if the meeting had taken place.