- Rhodes University says the shutdown is preventing staff responsible for essential services, as well as water tankers, from reaching the campus and student residences.
- Meals, cleaning, and water supplies are just some of the services affected by the disruption.
- The SRC says students have given a clear mandate for peaceful protest against the proposed 2027 Student Debt Protocol and has condemned any violence, intimidation, or damage to property.
The ongoing student shutdown at Rhodes University is putting access to meals, water, and other essential services at risk, as the disruption continues amid student opposition to the university’s proposed Student Debt Protocol for 2027.
The university says blocked access to campus is stopping staff responsible for essential services from reaching students and residences, and water tankers are also being affected. The SRC, however, maintains that students have called for peaceful protest against the proposed protocol and has urged that the action remain focused on that demand.
Students challenge the proposed 2027 protocol
The shutdown comes after students expressed opposition to the proposed Student Debt Protocol for 2027. The Student Representative Council (SRC) says the students have given it a clear mandate to challenge the protocol through peaceful protest.
The protocol requires self-funded undergraduate students with outstanding balances to pay at least 50% of their debt before registering, with those entering payment arrangements required to pay at least R3,000 a month towards the remaining balance. Students without confirmed NSFAS funding who owe more than R25,000 at registration will also face restrictions on residence admission.
According to the SRC, students want their concerns about the proposed protocol to be taken seriously, and the protest is aimed at having it rejected. “The mandate agreed collectively by students is clear. We will protest against the proposed Student Debt Protocol peacefully. We continue to stand by that mandate,” the SRC said.
The student leadership said its campaign remains focused on the proposed protocol and the concerns students have raised. “Our purpose is to challenge the Student Debt Protocol and seek a meaningful response to the concerns students have raised,” the SRC said.
The SRC has also called on students taking part in the shutdown to look out for one another and make sure the protest stays within the mandate set by the student body.
University warns essential services are being disrupted
Rhodes University has raised concerns about the impact of the shutdown on students who depend on the institution for basic services while living in residences. The university’s executive leadership said the disruption is affecting services needed for the health, safety, and wellbeing of students.
“Rhodes University’s executive leadership is deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing campus shutdown by students, especially the disruption to essential services needed for their health, safety, and wellbeing,” the university said.
The university said it has repeatedly appealed to the SRC to allow staff responsible for essential services to access campus and student residences. These services include preparing and serving meals, cleaning residences and other facilities, and providing water.
“Despite these appeals, the university has not been able to secure the access needed for these essential services to continue,” the university said.
The university also said water tankers are being prevented from accessing campus to replenish supplies. This interruption, therefore, goes beyond the immediate protest and affects services that students living in residences rely on every day.
University calls for access to be restored
In an urgent notice, the university called for access to be granted to essential services staff by 1pm on 30 September2026. The university said this access is necessary to prepare and serve meals and to ensure water can continue to be supplied to students and residences.
The university warned that if access is not granted, it will not be able to provide certain essential services. The request, it said, is to ensure that the health, safety, and wellbeing of students are not compromised while the shutdown continues.
The university’s position is that students should be able to raise their concerns and engage with the institution while essential services continue to operate. The disruption, the university said, is placing students and staff in an increasingly difficult situation.
SRC condemns conduct outside protest mandate
The SRC has also responded to the conduct of a group of unidentified individuals, saying it could lead to property damage. While defending the student shutdown, the SRC said such conduct does not represent the mandate agreed by students.
“The SRC unequivocally condemns these actions,” the student leadership said. The SRC called on everyone involved to avoid violence, intimidation, or damage to property. They said the protest should remain peaceful and focused on the proposed 2027 Student Debt Protocol.
The student leadership said it remains committed to collective action in line with the student mandate, while also stressing the need for students to protect one another during the shutdown.
University and students remain engaged
Rhodes University said it recognises and respects the right of students to raise concerns and engage with the institution on matters affecting them. At the same time, the university said ongoing disruption to essential services could have serious consequences for students who rely on campus facilities.
The university said it will continue engaging with student leadership through institutional processes to find a constructive and sustainable way forward. The SRC has said it will keep representing the students’ position and continue peaceful collective action against the proposed 2027 Student Debt Protocol.
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