Wits University has postponed its General Assembly scheduled for Friday after negotiating parties failed to reach consensus about the resumption of classes next week, also saying that the safety of those attending it could not be guaranteed.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the postponement of the General Assembly that was to be held today,” Wits said in a statement.
“This week, we suspended the academic programme and dedicated all our resources towards building a consensus within the University community in order to be able to resume the academic programme on Monday. We had reached consensus with all University constituencies including Council, Senate, Convocation, labour and staff, but not with the protesting students.”
This comes after weeks of sometimes violent protests, which have interrupted the academic programme. Wits management then invited students, staff members and alumini to a general assembly scheduled for Friday.
The General Assembly hoped to reach a consensus on resuming the academic programme on Monday.
A congregation of the General Assembly is called when the University community has reached consensus on a particular issue.
In this case, there was no consensus from all constituencies and no agreement from the protesting students that the academic programme will continue on Monday.
Wits said despite all its attempts and the energetic engagement of former Black Student Society and SRC leaders, the mediation process with the protesting students was unsuccessful.
“The protesting students effectively want the General Assembly and the march to the Constitutional Court to continue, without committing that the academic programme will commence on Monday, as previously promised,” Wits said.
Wits said one of the latest demands of the protesting students was that Wits and all other universities should be shut down until government agreed to free education.
“In addition, there has been no agreement from the protesting students on the format of the General Assembly. They are seeking direct engagement from the floor,” Wits said.
“Our concern in this regard is that it may create unnecessary tension between students themselves and other stakeholders, raising security risks and serving as a symbol of disunity for the University.”
There is also a risk that the safety and security of those attending the General Assembly could not be guaranteed.
“We will postpone the General Assembly until consensus is reached and the conditions for such an Assembly are met. We remain committed to the pledge and the march, and should conditions enable this, we would be happy to proceed.”
Wits said a Council meeting would be called this weekend to determine the way forward.
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