All UCT campuses closed

[rpm]

Dear colleagues and students

The Executive of the University of Cape Town has made the decision to close all UCT campuses until and including Friday, 7 October 2016.

The key consideration is that the situation on campus is reaching a point where we are at risk of serious conflict and escalating violence and we will not be able to contain the situation without a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service.

This would only serve to make matters worse and may lead to injury and even lives being at risk. While the university has tried to remain “open” the disruption to services and classes has been so severe and hence the decision was made to close all campuses.

Staff are requested to be in contact with their direct line managers.

A further, more detailed communication, from the Vice-Chancellor will follow.

 

[BBSA]

Thugs/Bullies = 2
77% = 0

 

[alternate]

What a mess.

Some other universities are still open with business going on as usual.
They shall not be named.

 

[porchrat]

#peacefulprotests

The key consideration is that the situation on campus is reaching a point where we are at risk of serious conflict and escalating violence

That ship has sailed weeks ago

 

[konfab]

The key consideration is that the situation on campus is reaching a point where we are at risk of serious conflict and escalating violence

They are not protesters anymore, they are terrorists.

 

[rwenzori]

"a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service"

Why, on earth, have these wimp VCs not done this???

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

"a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service"

Why, on earth, have these wimp VCs not done this???

Because Max Price was born with a super rare condition; his spine never developed, it's a medical miracle he's able to walk in fact!

 

[Tikkop]

"a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service"

Why, on earth, have these wimp VCs not done this???

Because they can't do anything while other influential stakeholders support the protesters.

 

[konfab]

"a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service"

Why, on earth, have these wimp VCs not done this???

The engineering faculty at Stellenbosch is on lockdown.

 

[rwenzori]

The engineering faculty at Stellenbosch is on lockdown.

More info please.

 

[MrGray]

I'd say "a very large increase in security and intervention by the South African Police Service" is exactly what is required to protect the rights of the peaceful majority. I can't quite understand why this wouldn't be the obvious and logical next step as part of their responsibility to the broader student body, let alone to the country. Are they scared of another "Marikana" incident?

Also don't get why all these "protesters" keep getting locked up for violence/destruction and then being released with no charges.

The anarchists are playing a superb psyops game - they clearly know that any police action will be vilified as it was in Marikana and that the authorities are too lilly livered to do anything, so they push the boundaries of their radicalism further and further and further. Sadly, the VCs and the rest don't even seem to know what game they are playing. If they don't wise up and start playing them at their own game, turning public sentiment against them, setting the protesters their own impossible dilemmas, etc, they will lose hard and all good people may as well pack for Perth.

 

[rwenzori]

Also don't get why all these "protesters" keep getting locked up for violence/destruction and then being released with no charges.

Thankfully in KZN the magistrate has about 18 still locked away on remand. Good for her.

 

[battletoad]

Because Max Price was born with a super rare condition; his spine never developed, it's a medical miracle he's able to walk in fact!

Ya well, at least he communicates with his staff. Like alternate says,

Some other universities are still open with business going on as usual.
They shall not be named.

Went to work today because "business as usual". Three of my colleagues were threatened with physical harm at lecture venues, barricades were setup all around campus by protesters, protesters lying in the road at entrances to stop employees entering, lectures cancelled left right and centre.

Yet management doesn't even have the decency to make a firm decision on the day's operations, but leave it to line managers.

 

[konfab]

More info please.

There are bouncers at all entrances and you have to have a card to get through all doors.

 

[rwenzori]

There are bouncers at all entrances and you have to have a card to get through all doors.

Thanks.

 

[Rouxenator]

I wonder if it would be seen as a problem if you arm yourself while going about campus and then shoot & kill anyone who puts your life at risk? I mean, it was just self defence.

 

[konfab]

I wonder if it would be seen as a problem if you arm yourself while going about campus and then shoot & kill anyone who puts your life at risk? I mean, it was just self defence.

It wouldn't be a problem if killing the person was the only way of protecting yourself/someone else. The court would look at whether you could have run away from the attacker for example.

If only we had "stand your ground" laws here... the courts would have a much simpler time finding innocent people innocent.

 

[Vox Populi Vox Dei]

Ya well, at least he communicates with his staff. Like alternate says,

Went to work today because "business as usual". Three of my colleagues were threatened with physical harm at lecture venues, barricades were setup all around campus by protesters, protesters lying in the road at entrances to stop employees entering, lectures cancelled left right and centre.

Yet management doesn't even have the decency to make a firm decision on the day's operations, but leave it to line managers.

Stellenbosch or UCT?

 

[battletoad]

Stellenbosch or UCT?

Another

To be honest the protests thus far have been generally peaceful, and I dearly hope it stays that way if protests are to continue. However, and this is my opinion, of the actions of some of the protesters I've seen today were done for the express purpose of antagonising security staff, all under the guise of "peaceful protestation". Like they're waiting for a trigger to go berserk.

Employees have no idea whats happening. Should I go to work?... if I'm at work, will I be forced to vacate soon?... is the office going to be on lockdown when I get back after popping out for lunch?... will my car be safe?... these are the questions gnawing at the back of your mind while you're finishing off syllabus/assessments/projects/etc. for end of year. These final 3 months really will be hectic.

 

[cguy]

This really makes me fume. I doubt that the protesters really have any idea how harmful their actions are. They think they are just shutting down the university for a few days, when in reality they are damaging the the quality of staff for decades to come. Many staff members will be considering taking foreign posts, early retirement, etc., and one of the most amazing attributes of the university - the ability to attract and retain foreign experts from around the world, is likely to cease to exist.