UJ tightens security to ensure student and staff safety and wellbeing

Date: Mar 9, 2017 | Media Release, News

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has tightened access control measures, with the safety and security of all its stakeholders in mind, following an incident of armed robbery at the University’s Auckland Park Kingsway Campus, yesterday, 8 March 2017 at 10:30pm.

It is reported that two armed men held up 13 students who were studying in a Lab. The men took the students’ cell phones and laptops. The suspects fled on foot. Fortunately, there was no injury to any of the students. The University is providing the required counselling and support to the students.

UJ security personnel were alerted and immediately responded to the scene. The suspects fired shots at close range at the reaction unit in the car park and fled. UJ’s reaction unit responded with warning shots and pursued the suspects. Some of the stolen goods were later recovered on campus.

University Management is confident that with the information in their possession, and by means of investigations together with the police, will result in the suspects being apprehended.

UJ takes incidents that compromise a safe learning and working environment seriously and will not hesitate to strictly apply its own disciplinary codes in the event that perpetrators are members of the University community.

“Initiatives to significantly elevate security measures are being revised on the campuses and at student Residences to ensure the safety and security of our students at all times. UJ is actively engaging with the SAPS, emergency services, Local Ward Counsellors, and the City of Johannesburg to protect students on campus and in the vicinity of its campuses,” says Ms Kaamini Reddy, Senior Manager: Strategic Communication, UJ.

UJ Management urges the community to report any information they may have to the University’s Hotline number (0800204975) or to its Protection Services at the Auckland Park Kingsway Campus (011 559 2555), the Doornfontein Campus (011 559 6450), the Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus (011 559 1321) and Soweto Campus (011 559 5555).