The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was yesterday forced to close its Soshanguve residences due to a series of protests over the last few weeks. Students were asked to leave the campus for safety reasons.
The university has requested that all students should evacuate their residences by 10am today.
The protests have been on-going for about two weeks now. These protests have been very violent because students are demanding justice for their fellow student Katlego Monareng, who was killed by the police during a student representative council protest last month.
As a result, the university resolved to have the campus shut down and for all the the students to evacuate the varsity’s residences till the situation at the varsity returns to calm.
“The university had no choice but to come to this decision, which aims to normalise the situation at the institution. A contingency plan, including increased security at these campuses, will be implemented to ensure safety of the campus community once activities resume,” TUT spokesperson Willa De Ruyter said.
She said the campus rector would assist in the process of finding alternative accommodation for international students, work integrated learning students and students who could provide “exceptional reasons”.
Many students seemed fearful and refused to comment about the current situation at their varsity, according to The Citizen.
