The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) will be closed on Monday in solidarity with the call for free education, the interim Vice-Chancellor Chris de Beer has announced.
“The closure is aimed at demonstrating our collective institutional commitment to and support of the campaign to achieve free education for the poor as soon as possible,” said De Beer in a letter distributed to staff and students.
“This letter serves to inform you of the decision to close the University on Monday 10 October 2016. This decision is not applicable to staff responsible for essential and clinical services.
“The decision to close the University was taken after consultation with the Chairperson of the Council and with the support of the academic leadership, the SRC (students representative council) and labour.”
De Beers said in the interest of the safety of students and staff, current access control at SMU and related safety measures will remain in place.
While students and staff expressed their concern regarding the loss of academic time during the past two weeks, De Beers said the University had a revised academic recovery plan, but warned this could be scuppered should more interruptions take place.
The institution in Ga-Rankuwa is expected to open on Tuesday.
“I wish to call upon all stakeholders to assist the University to successfully deliver on its mandate, despite the challenges faced by the higher education sector. Let us all work towards a normalised situation on Tuesday 11 October 2016,” said De Beers.
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