Netwerk24 reports that the continuing unrest on campus forced the University of Pretoria (UP) on Monday to immediately close for the Spring recess, which has been extended by a week.  Plans to use the recess for lectures and exams have been shelved.  

Student hostels have not been closed, but residents have been asked to voluntarily leave for their own safety.  Meantime, Solidarity on Monday withdrew its 400 members who work at the university from the Hatfield campus because, according to chief executive Dirk Hermann, working conditions have become “adverse” and the workplace “unsafe” in the wake of ongoing student unrest.  Hermann said the union’s members will not return until their safety can be guaranteed.  According to the university, all lectures and exams will be rescheduled to take place in the last term and the various departments will make the necessary arrangements with students. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)

• Read this report by Simvuyele Mageza in full in Afrikaans at Netwerk24
• Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity online

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page