Wits condemns disruptive and illegal behaviour [19:30]
- Wits University
Tuesday classes continue as normal after politically orchestrated protests disrupted campus activities.
Dear Colleagues and Students
Update on activities on Monday, 4 April 2016
The Wits Senior Executive Team condemns in the strongest form the behaviour of the approximately 150 individuals who disrupted lectures and started a fire in an empty lecture theatre on the Braamfontein campus today. Due to the quick reaction of Campus Control, the fire was quickly extinguished and electricity was restored to the building.
We believe that today’s protest is a politically orchestrated campaign with larger national objectives. The individuals who addressed the student groups today were from Wits, other universities in Gauteng, the Western and Eastern Cape and some political parties. The individuals were calling for free education for all now.
Wits taking action
The University has requested the police to intervene and to arrest the individuals for their criminal behaviour and for contravening a court order that was granted earlier this year. These are criminal acts and the University will deal with this matter decisively using all means at its disposal. Suspension orders are being issued to individuals who are Wits staff or students and barring orders have been put in place for all non-Wits members who engaged in illegal activities.
University activities continue as usual on Tuesday, 5 April 2016
Wits has strengthened security and secured all major lecture venues and access points. All activities of the University continue as usual.
Communication
We will keep students, staff, parents, the media and the public updated via email, www.wits.ac.za and social media @WitsUniversity and www.facebook.com/witsuniversity
Students and staff should report any incidents to Campus Control in person or via telephone at (011) 717-4444 or (011) 717-6666.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM
4 APRIL 2016