Two Wits law students filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court (Johannesburg) yesterday seeking to interdict the evacuation of students from residences.

The application, filed by Lerato Moela and Matsobane Shaun Matlhwana, was launched after an announcement by the university on Monday of its decision to go into early recess, giving students 72 hours to vacate their residences, according to TimesLIVE.

Wits Vice-Chancellor Adam Habib and Dean of Students Jerome September are listed as respondents. The matter is set to be heard this morning.

Moela and Matlhwana want the university to refrain from evacuating students without first making it clear whether students have been tested for the coronavirus and are safe to go home, says a News24 report.

They have also asked the court to extend the evacuation notice.

A founding affidavit says: ‘There is uncertainty as to whether or not the students have contracted the virus through the possible social and classroom interactions with (other) affected students.’

Wits’ communication’s officer, Buhle Zuma, said the students initiated their action without knowing the details and added that their case was based on false information.

The university will request that they carry the costs of this frivolous action. This is an irresponsible, reckless act which obstructs the fight against Covid-19 and is in contravention of the state's strategy and protocol to address the pandemic.

Zuma said there were fewer than 30 residence students being ‘managed’ from the affected class, according to TimesLIVE.

‘The rest do not stay at res and are self-quarantining at home,’ she is quoted as saying.

Full TimesLIVE report

Full News24 report