Statement of protest from CHED members of Senate
Released: 11h15, 10 November 2015

CHED members of Senate condemn acts of violence against the vice-chancellor and "the entire university community" at the disrupted Senate meeting of 9 November 2015.

The Senate meeting arranged for 9 November in one of the Kramer lecture theatres was disrupted by a group of people (about 100 strong). At this stage it is not clear whether the protesters were mainly UCT students, workers or outsiders. Dr Price was surrounded by protesters and members of Senate joined him at the front of the lecture theatre. Protesters were shouting, singing loudly and dancing on desks. Later some of them threw water, water bottles and other objects at Dr Price. He was also verbally threatened and abused. Members of Senate managed to steer him out of the lecture hall and Kramer building. Protesters pursued him, continuing with verbal abuse. This was a very disturbing scene to be part of and witness, and behaviour that we utterly condemn. These are not the students, workers and colleagues we supported and stood with in solidarity during the early protests.

We the CHED members of Senate condemn these acts of violence against not only the VC but the entire university community.

We ask you to consider over the course of this week any form of action that will demonstrate our condemnation of this behaviour, whether through social media, marches and placards, or supporting exam invigilators.

Assoc Prof Suellen on behalf of all of CHED members of Senate
9 November 2015