Pretoria – The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has increased security at all its campuses following protests, it said on Thursday.

“Activities at all our campuses are continuing,” spokesperson Willa de Ruyter said.

This was after protest action which resulted in the suspension of business at the Soshanguve north and south campuses last week spilled over to other campuses.

De Ruyter said additional security had been put in place to ensure the safety of students and staff.

It was important for students to attend classes to begin the academic year on a good footing, she said.

Student funding

University management met student leaders on Wednesday evening in an attempt to resolve points of contention, primarily student funding.

“Although progressive proposals from the university’s side were tabled, these were rejected by the student leaders,” said De Ruyter.

The SA Students’ Congress criticised university management last week for failing to help needy students.

“It is outrageously irresponsible for university management to provide students with no alternative than sending them home,” Gauteng deputy chairperson Sthembiso Ndlovu said in a statement at the time.

“Students are cancelling their academic courses due to outstanding fees and NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme] budget cuts.”

De Ruyter said on Thursday that although the student leaders had rejected TUT’s proposals, management remained committed to continue engaging to resolve the problems.

In September, the university was forced to close some of its campuses when protests about student funding became violent. The protests lasted almost three weeks and 18 cars were torched.