While students continued their demonstrations at the Mafikeng campus of the North West University on Tuesday, large numbers of staff members marched to the department of education to present a memorandum.
The only connection between the two protests is their exasperation with the management of the university.
Students are complaining about financial exclusion and student suspensions, and staff are objecting to the corrupt and unapproachable management structures. They have also asked for better security to protect them from student protesters.
Provincial secretary of the African National Congress Youth League Kabelo Mataboge said all teaching has been suspended until the management and students reach resolution on the issues.
However, he and the police asserted that the unrest and vandalism that occurred on Monday was over, and demonstrations were proceeding peacefully.
The Youth League met with the management on Tuesday and will meet again on Wednesday, said Mataboge.
”At this stage we can say there is a commitment to resolve this matter as urgently as possible to continue normal operations at the university.”
Meanwhile, the management at the Potchefstroom campus of the merged university took no responsibility for the situation.
Spokesperson Frikkie Kotse said he knew nothing of what is occurring on the campus, and that the two institutions are not in communication.
He believed that when the new vice-chancellor is appointed next week the campuses might become more integrated. — Sapa