The Citizen reports that the University of Pretoria (UP) has allegedly started “militarising” its campus by installing barbed wire fencing in front of the main administration building and deploying extra private security guards in anticipation of Nehawu industrial action.  

Nehawu (National Health Education & Allied Workers’ Union) has told university management to remove the barbed wire and to get rid of the extra guards, or face the consequences.  UP Nehawu chairperson Joseph Makasa denied they were planning protest action, saying they have not applied for permission for a strike or to march.  He said the barbed wire was installed on Tuesday afternoon after their meeting with the university management regarding wages for 2017.  In reaction, a UP spokesperson said they had become aware of threats of possible protest action by the #OutsourcingMustFall movement.  Makasa also said UP had until Monday to revert on the union’s wage demands, which included a 10% increase across the board, a 100% 13th cheque and a 20% medical aid contribution increase from the university.

• Read this report by Virginia Keppler in full at The Citizen

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