Since Monday, 15 March 2021, students, and members of the public have been protesting outside the main entrance to the Mahikeng Campus in solidarity with the call for a national shutdown of all public universities. Staff are still unable to access the campus to render services to deserving students.

On 16 March, the NWU Management decided to close the campus until further notice, because the safety of staff and students cannot be guaranteed under the current situation. In addition, there is lack of adherence to national Covid-19 regulations as well as the NWU protocols.   

Various roads leading to the campus have been barricaded and tyres burnt since, Monday, 15 March.  During the evening of 16 March, protesters tried to force their way into the campus by breaking the lock of the main gate. They were however prevented from entering the campus. Later in the evening, protesters also threw a petrol bomb at the guard house. Fortunately, the device did not explode but windows of the guard house were broken. The CCTV cameras covering the area were also tampered with.

There was also an incident where students are alleged to have assaulted an individual who was allegedly responsible for throwing the petrol bomb and damaging the CCTV cameras.

There is reasonable suspicion that not all the protesters are students. As a result, CCTV footage will be used for both criminal and/or student disciplinary cases. Cases of assault and malicious damage to property have also been registered with the Mmabatho Police Station.

The NWU Management strongly condemns the recent spate of violence and damage to university property. We will need to use the already limited funds to fix the damaged property. We urge students to respect the university property and adhere to the necessary regulations and protocols. We remain committed to continue engagements with student leaders to ensure that all outstanding issues especially those within the control of the university can be addressed. Although we would like all matters including lack of funds to be addressed as a matter of urgency, we cannot, regrettably, resolve the issues that are beyond our mandate.  

We reiterate that we cannot guarantee the health and safety of students and staff amid this violence and damage to property; thus, students are requested to vacate the campus. We have received numerous requests from students, to allow them to stay on campus due to travel and other challenges. These students should make the necessary arrangements with their respective Student Life’s Residence offices.

Staff will continue to work from home until further notice - an obvious setback for the university as a whole and especially to the students who are in dire need of assistance to clear their financial issues and register for the 2021 academic year. However, we must do everything possible to ensure the health and safety of the NWU community particularly students and staff.

Regards

Prof Dan Kgwadi

Principal and vice-chancellor