PORT ELIZABETH - NMMU RELEASE RESULTS OF MEDIATION PROCESS

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University ( NMMU ) have released the results regarding the mediation process and this is what the outcome was as per the statement on their website:

The court mandated mediation process that has been running for the last few days has not yielded the desired outcome.

The mediation process was led by members of the clergy and senior advocates as mandated by the court. The parties to the mediation process included:

NMMU management

Parents (CAPTU and HEPARD)

SRC executive committee

DASO

Fees Must Fall (EFF Student Command, Black Students Stokvel, SASCO, Independents)

Notwithstanding the fact that the Fees Must Fall students were in agreement with all mediated issues, they have decided at the mass meeting today to continue with the shutdown.

As we understand it, the stated reason for continuing the shutdown is their demand for free higher education for all now.

As such, the parties to the mediation process could not sign the proposed agreement. This leaves us with no option but to declare the mediation as having not achieved the desired outcome.

In line with our obligation to serve all our students, varied teaching and learning approaches will be implemented from Monday, 31st October 2016. The details as to how that will unfold will be communicated during the course of Friday, 28th October 2016.