Dozen of Rhodes University academics and other staff are opposing an interim high court interdict prohibiting protestors on campus from unlawful activities such as kidnapping, assault and intimidation.
Yesterday marked the return date of the interim interdict, which would have been made final but for the last minute opposition by about 38 academic and other staff members.
However, the interim interdict will remain in place until the matter is argued on September 1, meaning students, staff and others protesting on campus are still prohibited from acting unlawfully. The interim interdict was granted in April following extraordinary oral evidence given by the university’s top managers, wardens and university security.
Vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, registrar Dr Steven Fourie, finance head Dr Iain L’Ange and others told the court how kidnappings, assaults, intimidation of students and staff and vandalism had led them to fear for student lives and university property.
Since the issuing of the interdict there has been a suspected arson attempt on campus at the university’s council chambers in the main administration building.
It is not known who was behind the arson attempt. The attempt follows hot on the heels of similar arson attempts at the University of Witwatersrand.
A building was also gutted at North West University’s Mafikeng campus while the University of Johannesburg earlier this week suffered R100-million worth of damage when its biggest auditorium was fire-bombed.
Corinne Knowles, one of the Rhodes staff members opposing the interdict, yesterday said the interdict had been used as a political tool and had stifled dialogue, debate and protest at the university.
It had also had the effect of diverting attention away from the vital issue of rape culture at the institution.
About 10 staff members, some in full academic regalia, were present in court.
Acting Judge Sadia Jacobs yesterday postponed the matter to September 1 for argument. Those opposing the interdict have until June 6 to file their answering papers.
Sadia reserved the costs of the postponement.
Advocate Izak Smuts, SC, instructed by local attorney Owen Huxtable appeared for the university. The 38 academics opposing the matter were not represented while the matter was postponed by agreement.
Rhodes chaos interdict opposed
Yesterday marked the return date of the interim interdict, which would have been made final but for the last minute opposition by about 38 academic and other staff members.
However, the interim interdict will remain in place until the matter is argued on September 1, meaning students, staff and others protesting on campus are still prohibited from acting unlawfully. The interim interdict was granted in April following extraordinary oral evidence given by the university’s top managers, wardens and university security.
Vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, registrar Dr Steven Fourie, finance head Dr Iain L’Ange and others told the court how kidnappings, assaults, intimidation of students and staff and vandalism had led them to fear for student lives and university property.
Since the issuing of the interdict there has been a suspected arson attempt on campus at the university’s council chambers in the main administration building.
It is not known who was behind the arson attempt. The attempt follows hot on the heels of similar arson attempts at the University of Witwatersrand.
A building was also gutted at North West University’s Mafikeng campus while the University of Johannesburg earlier this week suffered R100-million worth of damage when its biggest auditorium was fire-bombed.
Corinne Knowles, one of the Rhodes staff members opposing the interdict, yesterday said the interdict had been used as a political tool and had stifled dialogue, debate and protest at the university.
It had also had the effect of diverting attention away from the vital issue of rape culture at the institution.
About 10 staff members, some in full academic regalia, were present in court.
Acting Judge Sadia Jacobs yesterday postponed the matter to September 1 for argument. Those opposing the interdict have until June 6 to file their answering papers.
Sadia reserved the costs of the postponement.
Advocate Izak Smuts, SC, instructed by local attorney Owen Huxtable appeared for the university. The 38 academics opposing the matter were not represented while the matter was postponed by agreement.
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