Thursday, 26 October

20:30

UCT application to the High Court has been postponed to Monday 30 October 2017 to allow for the filing of affidavits.

The University was granted an order pending the resumed hearing that in the event that any of the conduct which it seeks to interdict should occur between the postponement and the hearing then it shall be entitled to approach the court urgently for interdictory relief.

• Read the draft order
• Read the notice of motion

15:30

The Main Library, BEL, Bolus, Law & Hiddingh Hall libraries will remain closed until further notice, including the 24/7 Hlanganani. The Music, HSL & ICH libraries will close today at 17:00.

• Follow UCT Libraries on Twitter...

15:20

The University of Cape Town is seeking an urgent interdict in the Western Cape High Court against the unlawful protest action that has taken place on campus since Tuesday, 24 October 2017.

• Read the notice of motion...

13:40

A notice about the UCT Financial Aid Office withholding student financial aid has been circulating on social media today. Please ignore this notice as it is not true. Read the campus announcement...

11:00

Face-to-face classes have been suspended for today (Thursday, 26 October 2017) and tomorrow (Friday, 27 October 2017) on the main campus, lower campus and Hiddingh campus (excluding the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Graduate School of Business). The reason is primarily for the safety of students and staff and to avoid exposing staff and students to unacceptable disruptive behaviour.

Blended learning models will be implemented where possible and course conveners will communicate further how teaching will continue off campus. Course conveners will also communicate if and how tests and exams will continue and whether practicals and tutorials will proceed.

UCT operations (PASS and academic staff) will remain open where safety allows. Line managers will make operational decisions on safety issues that may occur.

A private security firm is assisting Campus Protection Services (CPS) in securing buildings and monitoring the situation.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Public Order Police are on campus as a result of the situation this morning and the blockages of public roads. They are monitoring the situation and attempting to clear blockages.

The decision to suspend classes follows extensive disruptions and barricades this morning on entrance and exit roads, which caused severe delays in traffic on campus and surrounding areas. We regret that a number of staff from the catering, cleaning and Jammie Shuttle services left their posts without permission. The library was closed for some time as a precaution but has now reopened. The Jammie Shuttles are currently not operational.

10:00

The Main Library, Special Collections, Built Environment Library, Bolus Herbarium Library and Hiddingh Hall Library are closed until further notice.

08:00

Jammie Shuttle buses have been prevented from leaving their depots by protesting students, therefore the Jammie Shuttle services will not be running this morning. Students and staff are asked to use alternative means to get to campus.

Protesting students have also set up multiple blockades on roads leading to upper, middle and lower campus. Campus Protections Services is monitoring the situation and working towards removing the blockades.

The university remains open today, Thursday, 26 October 2017, and all classes, tests, academic and PASS departments will continue.

Go to the campus updates page.