By Thapelo Molefe
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has said that classes and exams have resumed at its Auckland Park Kingsway (APK) campus after disruptions on Monday.
In a campus update, the university told students, staff and the community that disruptions to academic activities “were swiftly resolved”.
“Normal University operations, including classes and examinations, have resumed,” UJ said.
The disruptions followed protests over a reported proposed increase in registration fees for 2027, with demonstrators raising concerns about the affordability of higher education for financially disadvantaged students.
Videos circulating on social media show some masked protesters disrupting examinations and damaging university property, including a model of the institution. There were also reports of smoke coming from a block of lecture halls.
Some protesters were wearing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regalia.
The EFF denied involvement in the unrest, saying the protesters did not represent the party. It said the unrest was an attempt to discredit the organisation ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
EFF ward councillor candidate Gift Netshivhazulu said the party viewed the actions as a coordinated attempt to sabotage it.
However, a protester quoted in media reports identified the demonstrators with the EFF and said they opposed the reported fee increase because it would marginalise poor students.
The university did not provide further details in the update about the extent of the damage or whether any exams were cancelled.
INSIDE EDUCATION
