NWU Vice-Chancellor, Dan Kgwadi, attributes the unfortunate decision to rising tension at the institution after protesting students barricaded the entrance to the Mahikeng campus on Tuesday 16 March. This is part of the nationwide call by the South African Union of Students (Saus) that all 26 universities protest against financial exclusion at institutions of higher learning. Even though the registration period has been extended to 26 March, Kgwadi deems the closure to be a setback for the university, especially for students facing financial challenges. 

Mahikeng staff will work remotely, reveals Kgwadi. There is no indication as to when the campus will reopen.

On Tuesday, there was a heavy police presence at the campus as students from the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command, South African Students Congress (Sasco) and Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) participated in the protest action in front of the campus. 

Student leaders say they will not back down until everyone is able to register for the 2021 academic year. Meanwhile, the university’s leadership has come under fierce criticism on social media for forcing students to vacate the campus.

VCs are just so inhumane.

What's this thing at NWU Mahikeng campus?

— Zulu Mosadi- maGcwabe (@Nqob_impilo) March 17, 2021

NWU mahikeng campus shutting down and students being told to go home...so am just wondering if Potch campus is also shutting coz those ones live in their own world...

— Sweedat ?????? (@BoNiCe_M) March 17, 2021

#NorthWestUniversity says all students are required to vacate its Mahikeng residences by 2PM today amid protests against financial exclusion at institutions of higher learning. NWU says it is owed over R190 million in outstanding debt..

— rhulani baloyi (@rhulani1baloyi) March 17, 2021

It’s reported NWU claims students owe the institution over R190 million.

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