Classes resumed at Technikon Witwatersrand’s four campuses on Monday morning, following disruptions last week during which 370 students were arrested.
Students clashed with police when they staged an illegal protest, including a march through the Johannesburg city centre, after the implementation of new regulations which prohibited visitors from visiting students in their residences.
After the protest classes were suspended and residences shut down.
Technikon spokesperson Mary Willemse said on Monday the campus was calm. She said a meeting was scheduled between the technikon’s management and the students’ representative council for this week to discuss the dispute over the new residence rule.
”Management remains open to discussions with the student body and is prepared to pay the highest attention to students’ concerns. The two parties hope to reach an amicable agreement. The students have asked for an outside mediator, so we may approach the Department of Education for someone to mediate, but it may not be
necessary at this stage …”
Residences reopened for students from Friday afternoon. The students were allowed back to their rooms on condition they signed a document promising to abide by the technikon’s rules and regulations.
Willemse said the agreement was temporary, and students would be expected to reapply for admission to the hostels.
Students arrested last Wednesday during alleged illegal protests were given an option on Friday to each pay a R100 admission of guilt fine in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. The students have until November 14 to pay the fine, and those who do not will have to appear in the court on that day.
Last week the institution said a number of criminal incidents occurring at Technikon Witwatersrand residences was the reason behind its decision to ban visitors in students’ rooms.
Willemse said that over the past three years there had been two cases of rape, three of assault and one of sexual harassment. There was also an incident where a student apparently jumped out of a window while other people were in the room with him.
”There have been none this year so far. The reason for the rule is that the technikon needs to protect its students (from crime).” – Sapa