Tshwane University of Technology slams Soshanguve campuses’ permanent closure rumour

The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has poured cold water on rumours it has permanently closed its Soshanguve north and south campuses because of continuous disruptions, Rekord North reports.

“TUT management condemns rumours and bogus emails doing the rounds that these campuses have been closed permanently,” spokesperson Willa de Ruyter said adding that academic activity, however, had been halted indefinitely.

“Academic activities for students at the Soshanguve campuses remain suspended until further notice.”

The institution was marred by violent protests following the death of a student suspected to have been shot by the police dispersing a crowd that had allegedly barricaded the entrance and was pelting the police with stones last month.

The university management immediately suspended the academic programme for a week to mourn Katlego Andries Monareng’s death.

This was by further protests under the banner #JusticeForKatlego.

“Management reiterated that activities for students at these campuses have been suspended to allow the situation to normalise after the two-week long violent protest action and damage to property,” de Ruyter said adding that the safety of staff and students was important to the university.

“The safety of the student and staff community on these campuses is our first priority.”

She said the university would communicate the resumption activities via its website www.tut.ac.za and TUT4Life email channels.

She said the rumour that the university would remove students at these campuses from its website communication list was incorrect.

“There is no truth in rumours that students from Soshanguve North and South will be removed from TUT’s databases,” de Ruyter said.