The university has taken note of and is gravely concerned by the protest action ensuing at the entrance of the OR Tambo Building, Muckleneuk Campus since Monday, 08 October 2018.
The protest action emanates from a demand by a group of people previously employed by several agencies that rendered services to the university. The services rendered by these agencies, through deployment of their personnel to the university, terminated on 28 September 2018 as stipulated in the agreement between the agencies and the university.
The protesting group is demanding to be employed permanently by the university, citing recent legal developments in relation to the application of Section 198 (A) of the Labour Relations Act.
The university is, however, unable to accede to this demand; and has also, in the meantime, directed relevant functionaries to explore the implication of Section 198 (A) of the LRA and how it impacts on this group of protesters. This matter has also been referred to the CCMA by some members of the protesting group, with the rest expected to join the application after the fact. The university will accordingly defend this matter at the CCMA.
The university takes a dim view of the disruptive effect of this protest action on staff members and operations of the university. We are equally mindful of the tension which is building up between staff members of the university and the protesters.
As a result, the university is now putting in place measures to secure the campus and ensure the safety of staff, students and other stakeholders. The process of securing legal means to keep the protesters off campus is currently underway.
Once these measures are confirmed, they will be implemented without delay.
The university urges all staff, students and stakeholders to exercise caution and restraint during this period; and duly apologises for any inconvenience arising out of the disruptive conduct of the protesters.
Publish date: 2018-10-12 00:00:00.0