Court blow paves way for varsity student leaders to be hauled before disciplinary hearing

THERE is nothing suggesting that three University of Johannesburg student leaders will not receive a fair disciplinary hearing for their involvement in a protest over financial aid.

- ZELDA VENTER [e-mail]

So said Gauteng High Court Judge Stuart Wilson in turning down their bid to halt the disciplinary process. They are accused of being engaged in disruptive protests contrary to the university's code of student conduct. They allegedly partook in a sit-in at the university's student finance office.

The university alleges that a group of students, led by the applicants, entered and occupied the student finance office, banged on doors, attempted to force their way into offices and refused to leave when told to do so.

The university's case at the disciplinary inquiry is that the applicants' conduct was disruptive enough to contravene its code of student conduct.