Update from Senior Executive Team

20 September 2016 - Wits University

Update from the Senior Executive Team on the situation on campus during student protests.

Disruptions to some classes

We have reports that about 200 students in roving groups are moving from campus to campus disrupting classes in Braamfontein and Parktown and intimidating students. We are deploying security and the police to follow the group and we are monitoring the situation on camera from the Joint Operations Centre. Students will be arrested if they do not comply with police orders. If lectures are disrupted, we ask students and lecturers to leave the venue and then to resume classes once the group has moved on.

Remember to do the following: 

1. Remain calm and advise your students to do the same. Do not incite, antagonise or provoke persons causing the disruption.

2. If there is any physical threat to students, fellow colleagues or yourself, vacate the room immediately. 

a)When leaving a venue make sure that it is safe to do so and make your way to a safe area.

b) If you are in a multi-level building, briskly follow the escape route direction indicators until you are able to find your way out of the building to a safe area

c) Assist visitors, students and disabled persons to leave the occupied/disrupted area

d) Call Campus Control and report the incident.

3. If there is no immediate physical threat, ask students to remain seated and call Campus Control.

4. If you are prevented from leaving a building, lecture room, office or any other University area, call Campus Control and await assistance and/or instructions from Campus Control.

5. Campus Control will have personnel dedicated to answering the numbers listed below. They will immediately deploy a rapid response team closest to your area to attend to the incident.

6. Campus Control will summon emergency personnel to the scene as required.

7. Report all incidents to Campus Control in as much detail as possible.

8. Refer any students or staff members who require medical assistance to the Campus Health and Wellness Centre.

9. Please always obey the instructions provided by Campus Control.

Should you feel unsafe, threatened or intimidated in any way, or wish to report an incident, please make your way to the nearest Campus Control Office or call the following numbers: 

Campus Control Emergency Numbers

SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM

20 SEPTEMBER 2016