Wits activities continue after protest
PARKTOWN – Wits University students protest outside Wits Education Campus.
A small group of students blocked access to the Wits Education Campus, which prevented students and staff from entering or leaving the Campus. The incident took place late yesterday afternoon. All university activities will continue as planned today.
This is according to Wits University senior communications officer Shirona Patel, who said students raised their concerns about obtaining financial aid, bursaries and accommodation.
“Representatives from senior management were on the ground to listen to the students who raised concerns pertaining to financial aid, bursaries and accommodation. It was agreed that management would engage with student leaders to hear any issues that they may raise. The gates were cleared just after 7pm [yesterday] and staff and students were not allowed to leave,” said Patel.
She added that senior management is extremely concerned because students are engaging in protest without first raising issues via official channels and structures. The university encouraged all students to use the channels of communication provided by the university, before engaging in a protest.
Although the university allows peaceful protest, Wits believes such protests should not violate the rights of others as was the case yesterday.
According to Patel the university views this in a serious light and will address these violations in line with the university’s rules, policies and procedures.
“We apologise to all those who were affected yesterday,” concluded Patel
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