#WitsPoll trended on Twitter on Thursday morning as the University of the Witwatersrand’s survey of students and staff about the resumption of its academic programme in the face of protests got underway. Another hashtag referencing the name of Wits vice-chancellor Adam Habib had gained traction at one point - #habibsreferendum – but as this faced a proposed hashtag-change to #habibspoll after the High Court in Johannesburg refused to interdict the poll going ahead.Rito Mata II ‏@d0_ritoz tweeted: “#habibsreferendum has now been changed to #habibspoll #CourtOrder”.#habibsreferendum has now been changed to #habibspoll#CourtOrder — Rito Mata II (@d0_ritoz) September 29, 2016async Kanelo Pitso ‏@KaneloPitso said of the failed court action: “Shout out to the @WitsSRC other leaders who wasted their time in court. #Fees2017 #HabibsReferendum”.Shout out to the @WitsSRC other leaders who wasted their time in court. #Fees2017#HabibsReferendum— Kanelo Pitso (@KaneloPitso) September 29, 2016async Shafee Verachia ‏@ShafMysta seemed confused: “#habibsreferendum isn't #habibsreferendum but #habibsopinionpoll #mindf***ed”.#habibsreferendum isn't #habibsreferendum but #habibsopinionpoll #mindfucked — Shafee Verachia (@ShafMysta) September 29, 2016async The university had said its poll‚ which offers students and staff a chance to “have a say on whether you want the academic programme to continue on Monday”‚ would see students being sent “an SMS at 7am tomorrow to all students. Students should reply to the SMS replying YES or NO”.PKV HouseCom ‏@PkvRes suggested a new topic for the poll: “#HabibsReferendum Can we vote for Adam Habib to leave?”Bongiwe Hlatshwayo ‏@beehlats meanwhile complained about not having the money to take part: “This #HabibsReferendum iyangi stressa mina. I dont have 30c‚ how am I supposed to vote ke ksasa.”The university had said that “students will not have to pay for the SMSes‚ but would “be required to have at least 30 cents’ worth of airtime loaded on their cellphones for the SMS system to work”.LAMOLA HEROLD SHAKES ‏@LAMOLA_eitcHDee pondered the event of a hung student body when results came in: “What happens if it ends 50/50 split? What a genuine way of dividing students. Come Monday there will still be #Fees2017 protests #WitsPoll”.What happens if it ends 50/50 split? What a genuine way of dividing students. Come Monday there will still be #Fees2017 protests #WitsPoll — LAMOLA HEROLD SHAKES (@LAMOLA_eitcHDee) September 29, 2016async Novelist Ninja ‏@SaFa_Le_Roi didn’t understand the opposition to the poll: “The poll gives a greater volume of people a chance to be heard. Are protestors afraid majority of students want classes back?? #WitsPoll”.The poll gives a greater volume of people a chance to be heard. Are protestors afraid majority of students want classes back?? #WitsPoll — Novelist Ninja (@SaFa_Le_Roi) September 29, 2016async KeoagileChadibe ‏@TheRealBanky suggested a similar poll for the Tshwane University of Technology: “Cmon TUT we aint got time for this bulls*** aswell. #WitsPoll #TUTpoll”.Cmon TUT we aint got time for this bullshit aswell. #WitsPoll#TUTpoll — KeoagileChadibe (@TheRealBanky) September 29, 2016async Yusrah ‏@ybardien said the poll seemed hastily put together: “#witspoll how do prepare for a vote that has a limited time frame‚ when you aren't sure of the question / it's phrasing / the implications?”#witspoll how do prepare for a vote that has a limited time frame, when you aren't sure of the question / it's phrasing / the implications? — Yusrah (@ybardien) September 29, 2016async Mhlengie Bhengu‏@jnr_lucifer said the poll would make the protests worse: “this #WitsPoll is just further arrogance by establishment. this poll approach will ensure more conflict and endanger those attending.”this #WitsPoll is just further arrogance by establishment. this poll approach will ensure more conflict and endanger those attending. — Mhlengie Bhengu (@jnr_lucifer) September 29, 2016async Leon Ntshani ‏@LeonNtshani posted a screenshot of the SMS: “You can be surprised when some VC's engage in illegal activities this is not transparent... #WitsPoll”. You can be surprised when some VC's engage in illegal activities this is not transparent... #WitsPollpic.twitter.com/iwOrYNOXUc — Leon Ntshani (@LeonNtshani) September 29, 2016async Journalist Jean Esterhuizen ‏@baddieju said the poll would be independently overseen: “#WitsPoll The results will be verified by auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo. The IEC cannot assist with this process. #sabcnews #monspek1”.#WitsPoll The results will be verified by auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo. The IEC cannot assist with this process. #sabcnews#monspek1 — Jean Esterhuizen (@baddieju) September 29, 2016async Wits had earlier this week approached the Independent Electoral Commission to audit the results. – TMG Digital ..