Wits University has been closed because it cannot risk further injury to students‚ staff and security personnel‚ the senior executive team (SET) said in a statement on Friday. It will open “once we can guarantee the safety and security of staff‚ students and property”. The university warned that should the situation not improve‚ residents may have to be closed. Wits has been the capital of the violent student protest under the banner of #FeesMustFall.On Monday students across the country began protesting after Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that fees at universities would be capped at 8%‚ but decisions to increase fees was up to the individual universities.Nzimande also announced that fees for students qualifying for funding under the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)‚ as well as those who fell into the so-called missing middle (those who don’t qualify for NSFAS)‚ would not increase in 2017.The university said the decision to close Wits was made after an assessment of the national context and the incidents of violence‚ which resulted in people being injured‚ in Braamfontein and Parktown this week.“If the situation does not improve‚ we may have to consider the closure of residences to enable a cooling off period. This is something we do not want to consider given the hardships it imposes on the vast majority of students‚ but neither can we leave the situation as is where the academic programme is compromised.”The university said it was investigating the various issues‚ including its personal and legal ramifications.“We are aware that this will impact on the academic project‚ and that both students and academics are concerned about the remainder of the academic year‚ the upcoming examinations and graduations.The university was looking into ways to ensure the academic year would not be lost: “We cannot afford to compromise the education of 35 000 students‚ their futures‚ their families and those graduates who may enter the workplace next year.”The SET said it will update the university community on Monday on any developments...