Unisa obtains second court interdict
Pretoria – The University of SA (Unisa) has obtained a second court interdict following violent protests, the institution said on Sunday.
"Following acts of intimidation, forceful removal of staff and guests from Unisa premises, violent behaviour and damage to property by the protesting workers and students aligned to the EFF Student Command (EFFSC), management of Unisa obtained an interdict and restraining order against the participants in the protest action," spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said in a statement.
"The interdict, granted by the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa on Friday, 04 March 2016, has been served by posting it on the official website of Unisa and having copies placed at all entrances to Unisa campuses as ordered by the court."
Ramotshela said the university would also ensure that, as the court directed, the order was served by the Sheriff on the respondents by loud hailer at the entrances to Unisa's premises or at any other area of campus affected by the protests.
"The respondents, participating in protest action at the campuses of Unisa regarding outsourcing and related matters, are interdicted and restrained from, inter alia disrupting the normal operations of Unisa in any manner, including disruption of registration of students, supplementary examinations, security services and/or occupying any facilities or offices of Unisa and its campuses," he said.
Unisa Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Mandla Makhanya said the university had no option but to take legal route to prevent any further acts of intimidation. He said they could not turn a blind eye to acts of criminality by the protesting workers and students.
"We have a responsibility not only to protect the property of the university, but also to safeguard the lives of our other members of staff and guests as well as their right to enter and conduct their business on university premises without any fear, victimisation or hindrance.
"The kind of behaviour displayed by the protesters in the past week must be condemned in the strongest terms possible," said Makhanya.
This article first appeared on News24 – see here.
