KWALUSENI – The University of Eswatini (UNESWA) has announced the immediate closure of its Kwaluseni and Luyengo campuses following an ongoing class boycott that escalated into acts of vandalism on university property.
In a statement released on Friday, the university’s Senate confirmed that it reached the decision during a meeting held on the same day whereby the situation in the institution’s campuses became unsafe for students, staff, and visitors, prompting the urgent shutdown.
Despite the closure, the university emphasized that classes for Post-Graduate and Institute of Distance Education (IDE) programmes will continue as scheduled. Additionally, the university stated that the academic calendar will not be adjusted, indicating that the institution aims to maintain its academic calendar despite the disruption.
The statement did not specify the reasons behind the student boycott or the extent of the reported vandalism, but sources close to the institution indicate that tensions have been rising in recent weeks over unresolved student grievances. However on social media pictures and comments flagged safety and security issues.
The closure of the campuses is expected to impact hundreds of students across different faculties. Meanwhile, university management has urged calm and called on all parties to engage in dialogue to restore normalcy.
As of Friday evening, security personnel were reported to be monitoring both campuses to ensure compliance with the Senate’s directive and to prevent further damage to property with a warning to vacate by 4pm.
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