Legal action looms for universities that do not retract vaccine mandates
JOBURG – The alliance believes every person should have the freedom to make their own decision and for that to be respected by institutions of higher learning.
Universities across the country have been given until closing of business on March 8 to reconsider their Covid-19 vaccine mandates or be taken to court for what is viewed as ‘unscientific and unconstitutional’.
This is according to the Universities Alliance South Africa (UASA) are standing with students, parents, staff, and service providers of universities who reject the mandates.
Alliance director Nathan Pillay said, “We have demanded that universities consider the medical affidavit submitted to them and, in light thereof, suspend any and all attempts to coerce or force students, employees, and other affected persons into taking a Covid-19 vaccine. In addition, we demand that they review all mandatory vaccination policies, both implemented and planned and consult with the relevant parties before considering a form of mandate.”
UASA say the mandates are ‘invasive, unscientific, and irrational and have submitted medical evidence supporting this to the universities.
“They [the vaccine mandates] are premised on scientific notions that have unravelled over time, particularly with the advent of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus, and violate the constitutional rights of affected persons in a manner that cannot be reconciled with the danger posed by Covid-19 to the population, particularly in the younger age groups such as those into which students fall.”
The alliance believes every person should have the freedom to make their own decision and for that to be respected by institutions of higher learning. According to the alliance, the mandates are also disadvantaging those who access universities due to being barred from accessing campuses.
“At present, students are being prevented from studying, accessing campus, and – in some cases – registering at universities. University staff are similarly denied access to the premises and are, thus, rendered incapable of fulfilling their contractual obligations as employees. Workers who are externally employed but required to work on campus face an even more complicated situation.”
Outside of medical and religious exemptions, universities have stated students will be able to access the campus and its services if they can produce a negative Covid-19 test on a weekly basis. This is seen as an ‘illusion’ as the cost of these tests is the responsibility of the students and staff, and not affordable for many of them, forcing them to opt for a vaccine.
As of March 7, no universities had responded to the demands made by the alliance, according to Pillay.
This is a developing story and updates will be made once they become available.
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