Students resist rules

2003-08-12 22:26

Johannesburg - A number of Technikon Witwatersrand students protested on Tuesday against new residence regulations preventing them from taking visitors to their rooms.

Wits Technikon spokesperson Mary Willemse said students barricaded gates, toyi-toyed and prevented people from entering the Doornfontein campus.

She told SABC radio news there were designated visiting areas where students could meet their guests.

Wits Technikon vice-principal Professor Errol Tyobeka said Tuesday's disruptions on the campus were caused by a small minority of students.

He said the new rule had been instituted in the interest of the safety of everyone, and students had been consulted over a period of time.

"We deplore the intimidation and random acts of violence against institution property, and we will act against anyone found to have committed these actions," Tyobeka said.

"We have been in consultation with police who will maintain a presence around the campus until the situation has been resolved."

He said the technikon's management has been in discussions with student leaders throughout Tuesday attempting to defuse the situation, but no progress had been made.

"Our security supported by police will ensure the safety of the campus overnight, and normal academic activities involving staff and students of the institution will continue as normal on Wednesday," Tyobeka said.

- SAPA