Adam Habib: Wits must open
BRAAMFONTEIN – Wits University’s vice chancellor, professor Adam Habib says that Wits cannot afford to lose the academic year.
Wits University will resume its academic programme today (4 October), as planned, despite any disruptions brought by protesting students.
In a statement released by Wits vice chancellor, professor Adam Habib, he pointed out that if the university does not open now, they will have no choice but to close for the year, which will affect this year’s academic programme as well as next year’s.
“If we close the university it means that all students will have to move out of residences before the end of the week. It means that there will be fewer teachers, doctors, lawyers and accountants in the workplace. It means that students on financial aid, scholarships and bursaries may lose their funding. It means that Wits will not be able to enrol first years in January – we have 75 000 applications for 2017 already,” he said.
Habib added that full security and police will be deployed on all campuses and in all buildings.
Furthermore, students will no longer be allowed to hold mass meetings inside Solomon Mahlangu House.
Habib warned that anyone caught contravening any university rule or court interdict, or infringing on the rights of others, will immediately be held accountable for their actions, and may face criminal charges.
“I have personally received reassurances from the police, private security and campus control that they are on board to secure the campus and protect the lives of students and staff who want to learn and work,” he concluded.
Protesting students, however, vowed to continue protesting citing that their internal and external demands were not met.
