Wits University has announced that it has suspended members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party who disrupted a Students Representative Council (SRC) election debate on Tuesday. The party is also no longer recognised as a society by the university.The debate had to be called off when physical altercations erupted and the EFF members took to the podium and chanted “No SRC”.In a statement‚ the executive committee of the university’s council said it was “dismayed” to hear about the disruption‚ saying it went against everything that the university stood for.It said that after viewing video footage of the incident and consulting the Electoral Officer and her colleagues‚ the Vice-Chancellor had concluded that there seemed to be reasonable grounds for believing that the disruption of the debate was orchestrated by members of the EFF Society at Wits.“Members of the Wits EFF claim that the disruption of the debate took place because some of their members were facing disciplinary proceedings. It is true that they are facing disciplinary proceedings for incidents that took place prior to the elections‚ but so are other students. The University’s rules apply equally to all students and disciplinary proceedings continue whether or not the individual concerned is standing for elections. These disciplinary procedures will therefore run their course. As students often emphasise in the vein of Fanon‚ the University should not be in the business of creating political elites for whom the rules do not apply‚” the Wits exco said.It added that the following decisions have been taken:“1‚ Where there are reasonable grounds for believing that election candidates have contravened the electoral code of conduct‚ these candidates have been suspended‚ with the consequence that they are disqualified from standing for these SRC elections. “2‚ Where there is evidence that students were involved in violence and/or threats of violence‚ these students have been suspended. None of these students expressed any remorse for their roles and there is therefore no indication that in future they will not conduct themselves in a way that polarises the environment and leads to violence‚ compromising the safety of staff and students at Wits. The consequence of this suspension is that these students have been immediately excluded from all University precincts and activities. “3‚ In addition to these investigations‚ there will be investigations into possible contraventions of‚ among other things‚ the electoral code of conduct and the general code of conduct for students by individuals who may not have been dealt with under the measures referred to above. “4‚ All of the above mentioned occurrences will be investigated and there is a possibility that disciplinary proceedings will arise out of these investigations. Where disciplinary proceedings are implemented‚ these will be concluded by the end of September.”The exco statement pointed out that the Vice-Chancellor was mindful of the importance of student governance and was therefore allowing the elections to continue with increased security.“The actions on 18 August 2015 created an atmosphere that was not conducive to free and fair elections‚ and which culminated in physical altercations. Conduct of this nature contravenes the electoral code of conduct to which the candidates committed themselves and also the general code of conduct for all students at the University.“In light of the evidence‚ the majority of the Council Exco‚ excluding the SRC‚ has concluded that it is in the best interests of the University that the recognition of the Wits EFF as a society at the University be withdrawn. We would welcome the EFF reapplying to establish itself as a duly recognised Wits club and society‚ as and when it is willing to acknowledge its role in preventing a free and fair election environment‚ be held accountable for this‚ and continue to operate within the rules and procedures of the University. This application must be made through the SRC to the Council and must be ultimately approved by the Council.“We are fully aware that some individuals and parties will be disgruntled by these decisions‚ but it is our responsibility to prioritise the safety of Wits staff‚ students and visitors.“It is absolutely important that we realise that democracy comes with both rights and responsibilities‚ and we cannot demand our rights without taking on the responsibilities. Groups and individuals who are unhappy are welcome to protest. However‚ should these protests violate the rules of the University‚ the Vice-Chancellor will respond with the full authority of his office. Students who choose to join Wits come onto campus and commit themselves to abide by all of the University’s rules voluntarily.“We would like to reiterate that Wits is a free and safe space‚ and that we will not allow the academic project to be compromised‚” the exco statement concluded...