Wits suspends SRC president amid student protests

Wits says despite being given ample opportunity to make representations at the hearing Mnyamana failed to make representations.

The suspension follows allegations of misconduct in the institution amid violent student protests. 

"The allegations against him are of a serious nature and relate to conduct that infringed on the rights of others, resulted in damage to property, and the intimidation of members of the University community, amongst other things", says Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel.

"He will not be allowed to access any of Wits' precincts, participate in University activities and engage in conduct which constitutes 'student privileges', and will not be allowed to stay in Wits' residences until the legal process is finalised."

Wits says they will await for the legal process to take its course.

READ: Amnesty International calls for restraint amid violent Wits student protests

Meanwhile, in a statement the SRC state that the President was not given ample time for the hearing as he had received the letter at midday.

"The President received his letter of notice to make representation over his allegations of misconduct on/or about 12:35pm for 2:30pm on the 06th of March, 2023 in which he responded his unavailability on/or about 1:17pm of the same day.

"The university noted his response on/or about 2:10pm of the 06th of March, 2023 and further postponed the meeting for 5:00pm online. The President responded on/or about 3:50pm of the same day, explaining his unavailability due to circumstances beyond his control, and further requested to meet on the following day; the 07th of March, 2023 when he is back and around Braamfontein and campus.

This alone, should show that the President did not neglect nor ignore the notice he was served with and furthermore he was even willing to comply with the notice," the statement read.

Mnyamana took to Twitter to note the suspension from Wits saying he is waiting for legal instructions from his legal advisors.