Registration delayed at Unisa amid worker protests
The University of South Africa (Unisa) has again been forced to extend the deadline for student registration amid protests by workers.
Wage negotiations between the university and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) and the Academic and Professional Staff Association (APSA) have deadlocked.
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Workers are demanding an increase of 8,3% while the university is offering 6,3%.
Negotiations between management and the trade unions kicked off last week, but the parties have so far failed to reach an agreement.
Unisa spokesperson Lusani Netshitomboni says this time it's not the students, but the workers who are protesting.
"What is happening now is not a student protest that is taking place, but rather a workers’ protest that is going on. The unions at the university have gone on strike demanding a salary percent of 8,3% but the university is offering 6,3%.
"At this stage it's only the staff that are protesting and of course you might have sporadic incidents of students who are frustrated because of the staff unrest that they might join in."
Netshitomboni adds that the disruptions has resulted in the university extending the registration deadline.
"What we are saying is that the academic programme is delayed. However, we have extended to the 7th of February."
Students have been urged to register online.