UCT and Rhodes Must Fall sign agreement

Dear colleagues and students,

I am writing to inform you that today the University of Cape Town and the students who have been occupying Avenue House signed an agreement that has been made an order of the High Court of South Africa. This means that if any part of the agreement is breached, such action will be unlawful. This agreement came about as a result of UCT's court application. One of the respondents named in the court order is the Rhodes Must Fall movement (RMF).

This agreement records that the students have moved out of Avenue House and will refrain from reoccupying that building or any other UCT building except on university business, such as, for instance, attending lectures or tutorials, sitting for examinations or occupying student housing for which they are lawfully registered.

The students are directed to "refrain and desist from any action that obstructs or frustrates the effective rendering of university services or decision-making processes at UCT, including the sitting of examinations, tests and lectures".

The agreement commits UCT and the respondents to enter into a mediation process. The terms of the mediation and the identity of the mediator will be agreed by 19 June 2015 and the mediation will be completed by 31 July 2015, unless both parties mutually agree to an extension of the mediation.

In terms of the amnesty previously announced, there is no disciplinary action being pursued against the students for occupation prior to and including 18 May 2015, but disciplinary action has been brought against students occupying the house after 18 May. The suspension orders against these students have been lifted as they have been superseded by the order of the court. The disciplinary charges relating to the occupation after the amnesty period will remain.

Sincerely,

Dr Max Price
Vice-Chancellor

Read more:

UCT grants amnesty to protesters

Facts about the recent suspension of UCT student

Urgent update on the Rhodes statue and Bremner occupation