Universities resolve to stay open

Student activists vowed to continue protesting until demands are met

UWC, Stellenbosch University and UCT are set to remain open today while all CPUT campuses have been suspended amid student protests for free “decolonised” education.

Student activists shut down UCT, UWC and CPUT campuses yesterday and have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.

Besides the demand for “free decolonised education” students are also demanding charges and interdicts against students be lifted.

At CPUT all classes were suspended immediately after a number of disruptions occurred at its Mowbray, Cape Town, Bellville and Wellington campuses.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said: “The group of around 200 people reiterated their list of demands and Dr Nevhutalu in turn communicated the institution’s official standpoint.” She said the resuming of classes will be decided later today and communicated to staff and students, but all staff are expected to report for duty.

At UWC, a group of about 200 protesters met at the student centre to discuss their plan of action in support of the national shutdown. UWC spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said the group later converged in front of the administration building and informally indicated they were awaiting a response to the 40 demands e-mailed from an anonymous Gmail account under the banner of #FeesWillFall.

At UCT, protesters blocked roads and entries and exits to the university, storming lecture rooms to disrupt classes and setting off alarms amid a strong presence of private security and SAPS.

Vice-chancellor Max Price said the university is in a situation where the academic year is in jeopardy.

“The university has to remain open… We are open to ongoing engagement with any students or staff regarding the issues raised by the protests, but we believe that such engagement can run in parallel with the institution being open and classes continuing.” Price said he wishes no student to be ignorant about what constitutes unlawful protest behaviour.

“Disruption of classes, blocking of entrances or exits, interfering with traffic flow, putting up barricades that prevent people from conducting normal business or attending classes, and any form of intimidation – whether physical or verbal – is unlawful.

“The attention of all students is drawn to the following specific provisions in the code of conduct. The university will, via its Student Disciplinary Tribunal, prosecute breaches of the code.”

Six students arrested, warned to heed UCT’s code of conduct

UNIVERSITIES in the province remain on alert after yesterday’s protest action brought some campuses to a halt.

Protesters shut down UCT, UWC and CPUT’s Bellville, Mowbray and CBD campuses.

Student activist Lukhanyo Vangqa said yesterday’s action was a result of CPUT management’s arrogance in dealing with student issues.

“They have shown arrogance in addressing our call for free, decolonised education and underestimated our mobilisation across campuses. This is a co-ordinated process and we know they will only respond when they believe their institutions are at risk,” said Vangqa.

He said the protesters were peaceful and disciplined, but they would not be victimised for standing up for what they believed in.

UWC spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo said the university received 40 demands from students.

“The university management has responded to the group and has asked to meet with them and other stakeholders on three occasions. The vice-chancellor remains open to engagement and campus will remain open.”

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said its vice-chancellor had engaged directly with protesters when they occupied the administration building on the Bellville campus. The suspension of classes was to allow the university time to evaluate the security situation and respond accordingly.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed six students aged between 21 and 22 were arrested on intimidation charges at UCT and are due to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court soon.

UCT released a statement from vice-chancellor Max Price warning students to heed the university’s code of conduct.

“Where this is lawful, no action will be taken against those participating in protests. Students do not have the right to disrupt lectures and where individuals do so they forfeit the right to be on UCT’s private property,” said Price.

Stellenbosch University’s acting vice-chancellor, Leopoldt van Huyssteen, said they remained committed to the continuation of their academic programme.