Staff at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) return to work on Monday‚ while students will return to their studies a day later after a poll last week showed that the majority of students wanted the academic programme to resume.
Students can expect a ramped-up presence of private security on the campus — with Wits management saying in a statement “we are left with no choice at this stage” – while police have been requested “to remain on the perimeter of the campus this week‚ unless there is a need to bring them onto campus‚ or there is risk to life or property”.
The student representative council (SRC)‚ which had unsuccessfully gone to court to prevent poll going ahead‚ will be gathering on the campus on Monday morning.
Wits SRC ?@WitsSRC tweeted: “POA for 3 Oct; Time: 11am Venue: Solomon Mahlangu house. We call on ALL students to attend the meeting. #FeesMustFall”.
Results released on Friday afternoon showed that 77% of students want the university to reopen while 23% did not.
Wits held the poll after receiving numerous letters from students‚ parents‚ staff and alumni expressing concern about the protests at the university since Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande’s announcement that universities could determine fee increases‚ capped at 8%‚ for 2017.
Wits said of the reopening: “The presence of private security and police on campus is not ideal and we understand that students and academics are not comfortable with academic activities occurring in an environment with a visible security presence.
“However‚ we are left with no choice at this stage but to bring additional security onto campus.”
It said the “phased opening follows several engagements with a range of stakeholders‚ including students‚ where we ceded to requests for a phased opening this week”.
The security presence would be reduced‚ Wits said‚ if:
- “University activities continue without disruption’
- “There is no violence‚ intimidation or threat to students and staff;
- “There is no destruction of property‚ and;
- “Anyone who breaks university rules or violates the constitutional rights of others are immediately held accountable.” – TMG Digital
Wits plans ‘additional security’ on campus as academic programme resumes
Staff at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) return to work on Monday‚ while students will return to their studies a day later after a poll last week showed that the majority of students wanted the academic programme to resume.
Students can expect a ramped-up presence of private security on the campus — with Wits management saying in a statement “we are left with no choice at this stage” – while police have been requested “to remain on the perimeter of the campus this week‚ unless there is a need to bring them onto campus‚ or there is risk to life or property”.
The student representative council (SRC)‚ which had unsuccessfully gone to court to prevent poll going ahead‚ will be gathering on the campus on Monday morning.
Wits SRC ?@WitsSRC tweeted: “POA for 3 Oct; Time: 11am Venue: Solomon Mahlangu house. We call on ALL students to attend the meeting. #FeesMustFall”.
Results released on Friday afternoon showed that 77% of students want the university to reopen while 23% did not.
Wits held the poll after receiving numerous letters from students‚ parents‚ staff and alumni expressing concern about the protests at the university since Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande’s announcement that universities could determine fee increases‚ capped at 8%‚ for 2017.
Wits said of the reopening: “The presence of private security and police on campus is not ideal and we understand that students and academics are not comfortable with academic activities occurring in an environment with a visible security presence.
“However‚ we are left with no choice at this stage but to bring additional security onto campus.”
It said the “phased opening follows several engagements with a range of stakeholders‚ including students‚ where we ceded to requests for a phased opening this week”.
The security presence would be reduced‚ Wits said‚ if:
- “University activities continue without disruption’
- “There is no violence‚ intimidation or threat to students and staff;
- “There is no destruction of property‚ and;
- “Anyone who breaks university rules or violates the constitutional rights of others are immediately held accountable.” – TMG Digital
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