Executive Update: Monday, 3 October 2016

The following is an update from the executive on recent activities on UCT campuses.

As you would have read in last night's VC Desk, the executive spent most of the weekend in mediation with protesters who have grouped themselves under the SRC Candidates / #ShackvilleTRC banners. Unfortunately, mediation concluded without resolution, but we have made it clear to participants that the door will always remain open and that we welcome the resumption of the mediation process.

Protesters barricaded the north and south entrances to upper campus again this morning. A group of protesters also made their way to the health sciences campus and then moved to upper campus during the course of the morning. Some lectures were disrupted and six people were arrested for disrupting a lecture in the PD Hahn building. The six were warned that their actions were unlawful and that they should leave the premises. They refused and were arrested. They were taken to a police station and charges were laid. All six of the arrested protesters are UCT students and a disciplinary process will be followed. For more details of the protest action this morning read today's campus announcement.

During the afternoon some protesters marched to the Kramer building on middle campus, while others protested outside the Rondebosch police station. Both groups dispersed by 16:00.

The Vice-Chancellor issued a VC Desk this afternoon which reminded students of the university's code of conduct and outlined its basic tenets. He also met with the Senior Leadership Group this afternoon to discuss the way forward and the plan for the week ahead.

While the institution remains open, we are concerned by the continual disruptions. We are also, of course, very aware that not all classes could take place today due to the protest action.