The Presidential Fees Commission on higher education funding, established in 2015 by President Jacob Zuma and chaired by Judge Jonathan Heher, is currently receiving submissions from all stakeholders. The University of Pretoria made its submission to the Commission on 11 August 2016.

Contrary to media reports no announcement regarding 2017 tuition fees has been made. Should any proposals be forthcoming in this regard, the University community will be consulted.

In this regard, the management of the University of Pretoria has taken note of the call by various groups for protests, should the DHET announce fee increments for 2017.

While the University supports the right to peaceful protest, violent and unlawful action will not be tolerated.

The safety of students, staff and property takes priority at this and at all times. To this end, the University of Pretoria has strict security measures and a court interdict in place. The disruption of the normal functioning of university operations, including academic activities, and any violent behaviour will not be tolerated.

The University reserves the right to take preventative action in response to threats of violence to any student, staff member or property of the University.

The University of Pretoria has established platforms – such as the Transformation Lekgotla Work‑streams, the 2025 Strategic Plan Review Task Teams and the Student Representative Council, amongst others – for consultation and engagement with all stakeholders regarding all matters pertaining to transformation. We urge all our students and staff to use these platforms to make comments and proposals.

We call upon all members of the community to exercise restraint and to act in a manner that will contribute to the safety of students, staff and property.

Please report all suspicious activity anonymously at 012 420 2310, 083 654 0476 or 0800 0064 28.