Campuses won’t tolerate disruptions

Cape Town 151111- University of the Western Cape students burned tyres and damaged the buildings after the management did not respond to their complaints. Picture Cindy Waxa.Reporter Argus

Cape Town 151111- University of the Western Cape students burned tyres and damaged the buildings after the management did not respond to their complaints. Picture Cindy Waxa.Reporter Argus

Published Jan 6, 2016

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Cape Town - UWC is ready to implement security and tactical-response plans “for all possible threats” after students vowed to continue with #FeesMustFall (FMF) protests for free education this year.

And UCT said on Tuesday that it acknowledges the right to peaceful protests, but would not tolerate disruptions or vandalism.

Leaders of the protests last year – which spurred President Jacob Zuma to freeze a 2016 student fee hike – say students would take their plight “to the next level” this year.

UCT student and FMF co-leader Chumani Maxwele said: “The main thing for the student collective is to implement all the achievements of last year and take up the fight to make sure that no student has to pay for education.

“We have been working hard during the holidays at conscientising people from communities to join the protests.”

Universities are still repairing damages and weighing up the costs after students started damaging university property during protests last year.

UWC and CPUT were worst hit and incurred more than R30 million in damages.

UWC spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said: “The amount of damage is in the region of R20 million. UWC will implement security and tactical-response plans for all possible threats.” He said the university was prepared for first-year student orientation, registration and exams.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said repairs at CPUT were still under way.

“Only essential repairs have been done since we are aware that the protest action may continue when students return.

“An amount of R10 million was released by the CPUT council for repairs. However, we believe the damage far exceeds that,” she said.

Kansley explained that contingency plans to ensure a smooth registration and exam period have been put in place.

“The January 2016 registrations were rescheduled to February. First-year students may proceed with online registration from January 18, provided that no residence accommodation is required,” she said.

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the the university was ready for the 2016 academic year and would continue to engage with FMF.

“We acknowledge the right to peaceful and legitimate protests and to the vigorous arguments that accompany these interventions. But we will not tolerate disruptions of our academic programmes or any actions that endanger the safety of our students or staff, or vandalise university property,” he said, adding the cost of damages would be determined when repairs are complete.

Stellenbosch University spokesperson Susan Van der Merwe said: “The university acknowledges the rights of students to engage in protest action, provided that the academic and administrative activities on campuses are not disrupted; that these actions do not create any risks to the campus community or university property; and that these actions do not infringe on the rights of students to attend classes or to study.”

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