#Wits student accomodation protest
JOHANNESBURG – Wits students are protesting at the intersection of Empire and Yale roads, outside the university, on Thursday.
According to the university’s spokesperson Shirona Patel, about 100 students are protesting over issues relating to accommodation.
“Particularly issues relating to Yale Road village, they are complaining about bus stops, Wi-Fi access and other matters,” said Patel.
“The dean of students is on her way to collect a memorandum from the group of students.”
Patel said private security has been deployed to the university, as well as Wits’s campus control.
The South African Police Service is also on standby.
Despite the protest action,classes will continue as usual, according to the university.
Wits has been at the centre of student protests over fees in 2015 and 2016.
“Fees are not the only problem today. We have no services at the new Wits res. It’s been 4 months with no cleaning services‚” Nonhlanhla Mbonane tweeted.
It has begun…Yale is protesting for service delivery pic.twitter.com/3xnabFme6H
— Yale Village (@YalevillageRes) April 20, 2017
Yale village has shut down Wits @KNOCKANDO_HC @BarnieBarnato17 @Sunnyside_Res @JubesHcom @TheWitsJunction pic.twitter.com/zfyLC8u4wz
— Yale Village (@YalevillageRes) April 20, 2017
— Yale Village (@YalevillageRes) April 20, 2017
— Yale Village (@YalevillageRes) April 20, 2017
— Yale Village (@YalevillageRes) April 20, 2017
Yamkela Gola ft Wits student-nobody wants to see us together FMF protest song 🔥 wow 👏 https://t.co/q8s8YTgYqk
— Mpho Kganyago (@mdakecC) April 17, 2017
“We have no WiFi‚ cleaning services‚ transport to campus at night. We pay so much but nothing to show for it. Health issues.
“No female she-bins. Our res is a health hazard yet @WitsUniversity has kept quiet for months but they charge us.”
Shirona Patel‚ a university spokesperson‚ said about 100 protesting students had gathered at the intersection of Yale and Empire Roads.
“The protest has been contained to this area. The Dean of Students is on her way to receive a memorandum. Protection services are on the scene‚” Patel said.
“The academic program continues as usual. Students and staff should access campus using alternative entrances.”
The university’s senior executive team said the protest appeared to be about the new Yale Village residence‚ which opened this year.
“The protest is peaceful although a tyre has been burnt‚ causing smoke at the entrance‚” the senior executive team said in a statement.
“They have asked to hand over a memorandum to management. The Dean of Students is available to receive the memorandum and to engage with the affected students.”