Question NW650 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Reply:

The responsibility to run institutions, including managing conflicts that arise within institutions and ensuring the safety of students and staff lies with the Management of our respective universities. Universities implement safety measures through their own security service departments or outsourced security services. Where required, they may call upon the South African Police Service for further assistance. Security operations is not the responsibility of the Department and is accordingly not directly monitored by the Department. However, the Department provides infrastructure funding to universities, some of which contributes towards security systems at student residences and academic buildings, for example access control, biometric systems, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and security fencing to safeguard campuses.

The Department has confidence in university Councils to appoint competent managers capable of managing public higher education institutions efficiently and effectively. The Department strongly opposes and condemns illegal activities, violence, destruction of property and threats to the lives’ of individuals, and supports university Management in their efforts to ensure the safety of their students, staff and property. The Department also supports university Management in taking decisive action to ensure the safety of students and staff by closing affected campuses, where necessary.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons: Dr P Vukea and Ms B Swart

Ext: 5251 and 5262

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 650 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE: