The Central University of Technology (CUT) will continue with its academic programme today despite some sporadic protests and an incident of arson yesterday at its Bloemfontein Campus.
CUT spokesperson, Dan Maritz, says classes resumed yesterday and tests were written despite the protests, which were mostly peaceful. He says a building, used by security and sporting personnel for storage purposes, was set alight yesterday.
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The extent of the damage has not been assessed yet. According to him, police are investigating the incident and management is confident that the perpetrators will be apprehended.
According to Maritz students and management agreed last week that the academic programme and tests will continue without any disruptions this week, but sporadic protests, although in some way peacefully flared up on the Bloemfontein Campus yesterday.
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Meanwhile, the North West University’s (NWU) Vaal Triangle Campus in Vanderbijlpark has suspended all academic and administration services today and tomorrow. NWU spokesperson, Louis Jacobs, says campus management took the decision following the escalation of disruptive action on the campus yesterday.
According to him, management had no other option than to suspend activities on the campus after protesters damaged property and intimidated staff and students. There were also several acts of arson. The safety of staff and students remains a priority to the NWU.
Jacobs says a proposed mass meeting will be held this morning outside the main gate of the Vaal Triangle Campus. Students are expected to hand over a memorandum of grievances to management. According to Jacobs various attempts were made yesterday to disrupt activities on the NWU’s Mafikeng Campus.
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Security, however, foiled these attempts. A large number of students continued with classes and completed tests. Jacobs says police are on high alert today as information indicates that protestors will try to shut down the campus.
Jacobs says the NWU will continue with its zero tolerance approach. Activities continue as normal on the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus.
Christal-lize Muller
