Following on from the successful removal of the Cecil John Rhodes statue from UCT, students have now set their sights on the university’s management and, in particular, vice-chancellor Max Price.

Rhodes Must Fall (RMF) spokeswoman Kealeboga Ramaru said the organisation was ready to take their demands to the highest levels, with this from IOL:

[The RMF] are ready to approach the Department of Higher Education and Training to call for the UCT management’s removal…

Ramaru said that UCT management had failed black students.

UCT has been given until tomorrow to deliver on the RMF’s calls for transformation. The students were also unhappy with that they called intimidation tactics:

They accused university management, specifically Price and registrar Hugh Amoore, of using intimidation tactics against RMF. Ramaru linked this to an e-mail from Price which was circulated to staff and students. She also mentioned an eviction notice and a court interdict served to RMF members by Amoore on Friday and Saturday.

RMF has also complained to management, alleging its members had been assaulted by campus security and staff.

UCT representatives have fought back against the allegations, with spokeswoman Gerda Kruger pointing to the rapidity with which the statue demands were met:

Despite a challenging month, we followed an accelerated process within the UCT community that saw the Rhodes statue removed last Thursday. In addition to that, UCT will complete its work on transformation as outlined in the vice-chancellor’s statement which we have shared…

We reject the allegations (of intimidation). Complaints from both staff and students in this last period are being investigated.

I would not want to trade places with Price right now. His position is not an enviable one.

[source:iol]