UCT remains open‚ as students plan mass meeting at Marikana Plaza

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will remain open on Monday and staff have been requested to attend work‚ but “classes‚ lectures and tests” have been suspended.

Describing the call as a “difficult decision”‚ the university said‚ in a statement to “students and colleagues”‚ that “the security situation will be assessed throughout the course of the day and if it changes‚ you will be advised”.

 “Please note that the situation is changing constantly‚” the missive advised‚ adding that updates would be provided on its website‚ and Facebook and Twitter platforms.

 Protesting students will be gathering at a “Mass Meeting” at 1pm at what they call “Marikana Plaza” (Jammies) on the varsity’s Upper Campus‚ where Dr Lwazi Lushaba has been punted as the “guest lecturer”.

 Lushaba‚ a member of the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command‚ was awarded his PhD last year after a court battle which saw his suspension by the University of the Witwatersrand overturned.

He had received the suspension for his alleged role in a fight that broke out during a student representative council election debate.

 Classes and lectures were suspended at UCT on Friday afternoon‚ “in order to assess the situation and implement additional security measures on campus”‚ the institution said last week.

Protesters had staged roving disruptions‚ demanding the immediate return to campus of those suspended‚ expelled and interdicted over #FeesMustFall protests.

UCT at the time said that it had expected lectures and classes to resume on Monday morning.

On Sunday‚ UCT advised: “If staff experience disruption or intimidation‚ they are requested to please engage with their line manager.

“Health Science Faculty students based in hospitals and clinical service should still attend to their responsibilities.”