TUT students still stranded despite court interdict

Thousands of students from the Tshwane University of Technology are still being housed in community halls.

This is despite a High Court order that students be allowed to return to campus residences immediately.

If you're in contempt of court you must be arrested and there's nothing we can do. We are going to speak to our lawyers to pursue that route.

TUT has not complied with the court's order, saying it has not received court documents confirming that it has to reopen the hostels.

Students who were evicted say university officials should be held in contempt of court.

Sporadic violence by protesting students resulted in the university deciding to shut down its campuses, including residences.

Hundreds of students who had nowhere to go after being evicted from their residences on Friday have had to find alternative accommodation in the community.

Left in the lurch with only the clothes on their backs, safety and hygiene are a concern.

On Saturday the Student Representative Council approached the North Gauteng High Court to get these students back into residence.

The court declared the evictions unlawful and has ordered that students be allowed back in immediately.

Jacob Van Garderen of Lawyers for Human Rights said, "Unfortunately the university  has not adhered to the court order and refused to implement it and this is of serious concern."

The students say action should be taken against those refusing to comply.

TUT SRC president Mboniseni Dladla said, "If you're in contempt of court you must be arrested and there's nothing we can do. We are going to speak to out lawyers to pursue that route."

The university says it's not received any legal papers from a sheriff of the court instructing it to re-open its doors.

When it does, it says it will study the ruling before making a decision.

-eNCA