The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) obtained an urgent High Court interdict on Friday prohibiting protesting students from disrupting classes, damaging property or harassing students and staff.
Cited as respondents in the matter before the Pretoria High Court were Philani Hlatshwayo, president of the institution’s GaRankuwa campus student representative council, his Soshanguve counterpart, Masinga Justice Mhlongo, and students from both campuses.
The interdict prohibits them from committing any act prejudicial to the good name, administration, discipline or efficacy of the institution or acting in any way detrimental to its name or normal functioning.
Judge Willie Seriti granted the interim interdict, which prevents students from assaulting, harassing or intimidating staff, other students and visitors to all the institution’s campuses.
They are also prevented from erecting barricades at campus entrances, disrupting classes, damaging property or infringing any other rules of the institution and its residences.
In terms of the interdict, students are not allowed to take part in or instigate disruptive or riotous behaviour.
The respondents were given until March 15 to show cause why the order should not be made a permanent one.
TUT students have threatened to render the institution ungovernable if its administration fails to address their grievances — including an alleged 100% fee increase.
The university has claimed this was a misperception arising from levies charged for some courses.
Students have also objected to the university’s refusal to register those who have failed the same subject twice, and are unhappy that a promised new student residence has not materialised.
On Thursday morning, more than 1 000 students ran amok at the Soshanguve campus, stoning motorists and police, setting fire to a police caravan and shoving a burning tyre into a guards’ room. — Sapa