Classes to resume at Wits

In a statement released late on Saturday, the university said the decision was made for the benefit of all students and staff. 

Wits said it had taken the decision to ensure that learning, teaching, research and administrative activities continued at the institution. It also wanted to ensure the successful completion of each student’s academic year.

"No student should see a year's worth of work come to naught, along with the financial sacrifices that they and their families have had to make," the university said.

A revised calendar for the rest of the 2016 academic had been approved by the Senate as well as a contingency plan to ensure that examinations were written.

A general assembly would be held once all constituencies agreed on a unified stance around the matter of free higher education.

Students would still be allowed to protest, but only under the following conditions:

- Large groups of people engaged in protest action will not be allowed to gather outside designated areas.

- Any person/s intimidating students to leave a classroom or building, or disrupting any university activity, may be suspended.

- Anyone carrying rocks, stones, weapons or any other items that can be used to destroy property or inflict harm, will immediately be disarmed, and may be suspended. Any person using items to deliberately conceal their identity, may be suspended.

- Rigorous control of access to the university, including comprehensive and sporadic checks of all vehicles, including buses, will be implemented. All staff and students will be required to carry their access cards with them, as is the norm.

- All persons arrested by the police may immediately be suspended.

- All suspensions will immediately be processed for finalisation through disciplinary hearings, the university said.