‘We can’t be striking while you are in class learning’ – UP students warned of violence via WhatsApp

22 September 2016 - 14:27 By Neo Goba

Students at the University of Pretoria (UP) have been threatened with assault if they dare to continue with academic activities. A voicenote sent by a protester to a WhatsApp group for engineering students said: “Anyone who goes to classes‚ you are going to k*k‚ we are going to beat you up. We can’t be striking while you are in class learning. We are doing this for everyone – so stay away from class.”The threat comes as all academic activities at UP's Hatfield Campus were suspended on Wednesday‚ in the wake of nationwide campus protests following Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s fee announcement on Monday. WATCH: NMMU students leave court after brief appearanceNine Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) students who were arrested on Wednesday appeared briefly in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning.“In the light of continuing protest action at various tertiary institutions‚ the management of the University of Pretoria has decided to close its Hatfield Campus for all students with immediate effect‚” it said in a statement.“Staff are requested to continue with their normal duties until further notice. WATCH: Student shot in violent UKZN clashes with policeA student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Pietermaritzburg campus has been shot and injured‚ reportedly by police officers‚ as violent clashes erupted on Thursday morning."Details of the reopening of the campus will be communicated to all students‚ parents and staff on the website and social media platforms.“The university regrets closing the campus at this critical time in the academic year”‚ management said‚ adding that the decision was made in the interest of the safety of students‚ staff and property. – TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.