MBOMBELA – Students attending the local campus of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) are having an early recess. The university announced on Saturday that all its campuses would close immediately. Resident students were also instructed to vacate their rooms for their own safety.
This follows violent protest action which erupted at the Soshanguve and Ga-Rankuwa campuses in Gauteng last Friday.It has been reported that protesting TUT students had set at least 18 cars alight but that there were no injuries and no one had been arrested.
According to a TUT statement, this had caused extensive damage to its property and threatened the safety of students. “The university is bringing the official recess forward to commence on Monday (yesterday) and talks with student leaders will continue during this time.
“All campuses remain closed to students and staff members. The university will advise on the formal reopening.”
Classes have been disrupted on numerous occasions this month. Lowvelder recently reported that classes were also suspended at the local campus after protests on the main one in Pretoria saw students set fire to a campus bus during a protest.
It was reported that they were unhappy with a 10 per cent increase in class fees that had been proposed for next year and were demanding more financial assistance. Talks with student leaders are to continue.
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