Pretoria - The Tshwane University of Technology has obtained a court order stopping protests at it campuses, it said on Friday.
“In view of the ongoing student unrest, TUT... obtained an interdict to prevent anyone from participating in protest action on any of TUT's campuses, to disrupt TUT activities or cause damage to TUT property,” spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter said in a statement.
Students have been protesting against a lack of funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
On Thursday, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that R1 billion would be added to the NSFAS. He said the NSFAS had a shortfall of R2.6bn in 2013.
Nzimande called on students not to damage property or disrupt lectures when they protested. Management on Thursday closed the university until further notice in a bid to protect lives and property.
“Residence students this morning left all the university's campuses peacefully after they were requested to evacuate residences by 7.30am,” De Ruyter said.
The situation on all campuses would be monitored throughout the weekend and, once management was satisfied that it was safe for people to return to campus, an announcement would be made.
Late on Friday student leaders said they were applying for an interdict to reverse the eviction of students from residences.
Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania spokesman Vusi Mahlangu said they were waiting for an update on court proceedings. They were trying to find food for students who had not eaten since the morning.
“We are appealing to businesses and locals of Soshanguve to assist in feeding the students,” he said.
Sapa