Protect our staff at universities‚ says Solidarity

Trade union Solidarity weighed in on the student protest issue on Wednesday‚ expressing concern about the safety of its members.

The union is taking legal action to compel universities to ensure “the appropriate protection of Solidarity’s members and other staff”‚ it said in a statement on Wednesday.

This move came after “staff and students had to endure extensive violence and vigilante behaviour on campuses over the past few days”.

“Over the past few days‚ staff had to endure insults‚ threats and the physical violation of their person that often included being forced to leave lecture rooms. It is unacceptable that universities allow violent students to walk from classroom to classroom on campuses and do whatever they want‚” said Solidarity Deputy General Johan Kruger.

He said Solidarity was preparing an attorney’s letter warning the North-West University to protect its staff properly. Should the university fail to do so‚ Solidarity would take urgent steps to enforce the proper protection of staff members.

“Universities should bring any student and non-student who disrupts classes‚ physically threatens staff and commits other forms of violence under immediate control” and be forced to take appropriate steps against them.

“If the North-West University doesn’t do it of its own accord‚ we will force them to do so‚” Kruger said.

“Solidarity invites its members‚ other university staff members and students to report incidents of being threatened‚ insulted or being physically impaired to us‚” Kruger said