EFF claims victory over Wits' Habib in court

27 August 2015 - 15:58 By Times LIVE
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TENDENCIES: Julius Malema speaking at a mini EFF rally in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga
TENDENCIES: Julius Malema speaking at a mini EFF rally in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga

The Economic Freedom Fighters proclaimed victory over Wits Vice Chancellor Adam Habib after the South Gauteng High Court set aside the suspensions against several of its members.

The university is not happy with the decision, though it said it will abide by it.

"We disagree with the ruling regarding the lifting of the suspensions, given that the evidence suggests that these students broke the Code of Conduct for Students by engaging in or threatening physical altercations, and the fact that the University has an obligation to protect the safety and security of its students, staff and visitors. However, the University will respect the decision of the Court," Habib said in a media statement.

The entire issue was caused by the events in this video - in which an altercation between EFF members and Project W disrupted a SRC candidate debate.

How much of a victory for the EFF is it really though?

The EFF had aimed for;

  • The withdrawal of the decision to de-recognise the Wits EFF as a student society at the University;
  • The withdrawal of the disqualification from the SRC elections of members of the Wits EFF who had contravened the Electoral Code of Conduct; and
  • The withdrawal of the suspension of individuals who were involved in violence and/or threats of violence from the university and its activities.

While the students' suspensions have been set aside they will still face disciplinary procedures within the next ten days and according to the university, the court found that "the prohibition of the Wits EFF candidates from contesting in the 2015 SRC elections should remain in place".

EFF acting national spokesperson Fana L Mokoena said‚ “We also note that the only reason the judge‚ according to his statement‚ could not rule in our favour that our candidates be allowed back in the election process is because he felt they would have been disadvantaged for the loss of time caused by these senseless sanctions by the vice-chancellor Adam Habib.

“The EFF is vexed by the irresponsible conduct of the vice chancellor Adam Habib in the manner he has prejudiced the EFF in the political life of Wits.

"This man clearly had the intention of sidelining the EFF in the electoral process currently under way.To this end he has achieved his objective.”

Mokoena said Prof Habib “has tarnished the name of Wits which has never had this kind of unfree and unfair electoral history since democracy. We are glad that other academics have distanced themselves from his criminal behaviour… He is has put the name of Wits University into disrepute and must be removed. The EFF will make sure of it.”

The EFF would study the court outcome carefully and weigh its options‚ said Mokoena‚ but it “can be said now that we will not let this go by unchallenged. One thing is clear in our minds‚ Habib must be stopped. He must go!”

Prof Habib said the university “would like to put this matter behind us so that we can focus on our core activities of teaching‚ learning‚ research and social engagement. As the SRC elections proceed‚ we trust that all members of the university community‚ and the students and student societies in particular‚ will conduct themselves in a proper manner within the rules of the university.”

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