Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University will be tightening security on campus from Monday following an arson attack on its procurement building on South campus.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Vice Chancellor Professor Derek Swartz, said that NMMU will “will immediately put into place a range of extraordinary measures, starting on Monday, to patrol all buildings, tighten physical security and access, including special steps to control movement during after-hour periods, especially around critical infrastructure.”
“We will also be setting up a special Hotline for anyone with information, whose identity will be protected, which could lead to the identification for prosecution of individuals involved in this criminal act. Further details will follow,” he said.
Swartz said students and staff will also be also be required to carry their NMMU identity cards with them at all times, visibly displayed, as from Monday, 13 February 2016.
The Vice Chancellor said that NMMU believes that “a handful of violent elements have inserted themselves among legitimate student organizations and whose aim it is to sow a climate of fear and insecurity.”
“We call on all legitimate student formations and their leaders to publicly distance themselves from this and expose these criminals,” he said.
Port Elizabeth police confirmed Sunday that a case of arson is being investigated after two petrol bombs were thrown into NMMU’s procurement building sometime on Saturday night.
Police spokesperson, Captain Johan Rheeder, said that a bag filled with stones was thrown through the glass door and slogans, saying Fees Must Fall and Zuma Must Fall were scrawled on the walls of the building.
Swartz said NMMU will take every necessary legal measure to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book and call on all our stakeholders to rise against violent elements threatening the very existence of the University.
“We reject criminal acts masquerading behind political claims for free higher education,” he said.
