Eight students have been arrested so far this week for protesting at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price said on Tuesday in a letter to staff and students‚ “We wish to reduce the presence of security as soon as possible. But‚ as long as unlawful actions by protesters interfere with UCT operations‚ we will have no option but to act against that unlawful behaviour… disruptions‚ blockades and intimidation are unlawful“.
“These actions infringe on the right of other students (who are the overwhelming majority) to continue their studies. This cannot be allowed.”
The university was open on Tuesday and lectures resumed although the libraries remained closed. Protesters attempted to block entrances to the sprawling campus. Two students were arrested on Tuesday.
“In addition to their alleged involvement with persistent barricading of access points after being warned‚ and intimidation‚ one of the students was in breach of an interdict that prohibits them from being on campus. This brings the number of students arrested this week to eight. We have also begun internal disciplinary cases against these students‚” said Price.
He stressed that additional security had not been deployed to stop lawful protest or shut down discussions around student demands for free education‚ transformation‚ the institutional climate‚ curriculum change and decolonisation.
Price said private security staff had acted with restraint on campus‚ but acknowledged complaints by students who accused them of “sexual harassment and racial profiling“.
“This behaviour‚ where it is occurring‚ is utterly unacceptable and regrettable. I personally met again last night with the heads of the private security company to emphasise how seriously we take such behaviour‚” he said. — TMG Digital
Eight held over UCT fees protests
Eight students have been arrested so far this week for protesting at the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Vice-chancellor Dr Max Price said on Tuesday in a letter to staff and students‚ “We wish to reduce the presence of security as soon as possible. But‚ as long as unlawful actions by protesters interfere with UCT operations‚ we will have no option but to act against that unlawful behaviour… disruptions‚ blockades and intimidation are unlawful“.
“These actions infringe on the right of other students (who are the overwhelming majority) to continue their studies. This cannot be allowed.”
The university was open on Tuesday and lectures resumed although the libraries remained closed. Protesters attempted to block entrances to the sprawling campus. Two students were arrested on Tuesday.
“In addition to their alleged involvement with persistent barricading of access points after being warned‚ and intimidation‚ one of the students was in breach of an interdict that prohibits them from being on campus. This brings the number of students arrested this week to eight. We have also begun internal disciplinary cases against these students‚” said Price.
He stressed that additional security had not been deployed to stop lawful protest or shut down discussions around student demands for free education‚ transformation‚ the institutional climate‚ curriculum change and decolonisation.
Price said private security staff had acted with restraint on campus‚ but acknowledged complaints by students who accused them of “sexual harassment and racial profiling“.
“This behaviour‚ where it is occurring‚ is utterly unacceptable and regrettable. I personally met again last night with the heads of the private security company to emphasise how seriously we take such behaviour‚” he said. — TMG Digital
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