Wits suspends operations for safety reasons

Protesting students at Wits University.

Protesting students at Wits University.

Published Oct 20, 2015

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JOHANNESBURG: Academic activities at Wits University will remain suspended today following protests against proposed tuition fee hikes.

The institution’s management said in a statement late yesterday that the decision was taken out of concern for the health and safety of staff and students. “The suspension will be reviewed depending on further developments.

“The university will continue to communicate with staff and students, and will issue a notification regarding the resumption of the academic project as soon as circumstances allow.”

The students had expected the institution’s council to give them feedback over their demand to reverse the planned 2016 tuition fee increase.

The council instead issued a statement indicating they would not meet students, and instructed that the hall be cleared by 3pm. It then sent student leaders a letter, requesting them to form a team that would negotiate with the council over fee hikes.

The protesting students refused to meet management behind closed doors, and vowed to bring the institution to its knees this week.

They took to the streets and blockaded Empire Road, where a vehicle was pelted with stones after the driver refused to stop. The vehicle was overturned after it tried driving over the students. The arrival of police saw students regrouping and marching back into campus.

Incoming SRC president Nompendulo Mkatshwa told students the protest would disturb the functioning of the city. “Comrades, we are here to frustrate the City of Joburg… we want mayor Parks Tau to intervene,” she said to loud applause and chanting.

It was the fourth day of protests at the institution.

Final exams were set to begin in 12 days. – ANA

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