Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
09 March 2023 | 22:28 CAT

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The higher education department has raised concerns over the ongoing protests at Wits University. Depart officials also claim to have taken the necessary measures to address some of the student’s demands.

Wits vice-chancellor professor Zeblon Vilakazi plans to meet with students to resolve the ongoing strike, which also affects the 2023 curriculum. He appealed to students to meet with the university to resolve their issues as valuable study time is lost. The protests at the university started ten days ago, with students demanding that those with historic debt be allowed to register.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Shirona Patel said the historical debt over the last eight years amounts to 1.1 billion rands owed to the university, leaving the request entirely off the table.

However, she said a concession was made for students who have been achieving well academically and passed all quarters without issues will be allowed to register with outstanding debt.

Meanwhile, there appears to be brewing legal action between the university and members of the SRC, who have vowed to render the university ungovernable until their demands have been addressed.

The university suspended the SRC president Aphiwe Mnyama on Monday.

The actions of the disruptors transgress the university’s rules of peaceful protest and the rights of those who wish to learn and work. We cannot be held to ransom by a small group of disruptors, and we now have no choice but to act firmly against those who contravene the university’s rules. The university remains open, and the academic programme continues as scheduled, the senior executive team said in a statement.

Listen to the interview with presenter ML Habib Bobat and his guest Shirona Patel on Radio Islam’s podcast.