Update on arrests and suspensions

22 February 2016 - Wits University

Police are investigating various charges against the individuals arrested on Friday, 19 February 2016.

Dear Colleagues and Students

Update on arrests and suspensions

At least 14 individuals who were involved in a number of unlawful activities on our campuses in recent days, were arrested on Friday for violating a court order. They were released on Friday evening and the case against them was withdrawn this morning, pending further investigation by the police.

These investigations will include enquiries into the allegations regarding the occupation of the Senate House Concourse, attempted arson, malicious damage to property, the burning of a bus, the setting alight of a mattress at the back of a library and the vandalisation of University property.

The University is addressing the various incidents in accordance with our rules, policies and procedures. Some of these processes include the issuing of suspensions, partial suspensions and/or the barring of individuals from our campuses, as per the University¡¯s regulations.  

We remind you that you should not allow anyone else to use your access card and/or to swipe anyone else through the turnstiles using your card. This weakens the integrity of the University¡¯s security arrangements. It is the University¡¯s policy to take action against staff and students found to be sharing their access cards with others.

What to do if a disruption occurs

We would like to remind staff and students to allow Campus Control to manage any incidents, altercations or disruptions if they occur. Please take note of the following guidelines:

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

2.     If there is a physical threat to anyone, vacate the venue 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 indicators or your safety officer, until you are able to find your way out of the building

c.     Do not re-enter buildings, offices, lecture rooms, halls or any other University areas that have been disrupted

d.     Assist visitors, students and disabled persons to leave the occupied/disrupted area

e.     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 threatened or provoked in any way, or 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. Anyone who needs counselling should go to CCDU.

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 your nearest Campus Control Office or call the following numbers:

Campus Control Emergency Numbers

Upgrades to the M1 motorway

There are likely to be significant delays from the end of the week due to the upgrades to the M1 motorway as the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) undertakes essential maintenance on the stretch between the Crown Interchange and Killarney. Construction has already begun and will be completed in 2017. From 27 February 2016, there will be lane restrictions and closures. This will have a significant impact on travel time, if you use the M1 Freeway. Visit the JRA website to search for alternative routes and to keep updated on developments.

For details on lane restrictions and closures click here: www.jra.org.za/documents/pressrelease/M1_flyer.pdf     

SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM

22 FEBRUARY 2016