Pretoria — The Education Minister, Naledi Pandor, has instituted an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the affairs of the North West University following recent disruptions at its Mafikeng Campus.

Minister Pandor has further requested the Council at the university, which will be meeting on Friday to also satisfy itself that due process has been followed in the recent suspensions and expulsion of students charged with misconduct, as a matter of urgency.

An estimation of more than R1 million damage was caused to campus property during student protests, which started at the campus early this month.

During a protest, about 100 students barricaded the main entrance, burnt down a guard house, stoned a campus resident and damaged library property.

According to the reports, protests started in May following the expulsion of seven students from the university for inciting violent protests over a fee increase of more than 13 percent.

The seven students were expelled after being found guilty at a disciplinary hearing.

It is alleged that the protests were prompted by an unsuccessful appeal by the expelled seven students.

Minister Pandor said the evaluation should also include the implementation of the merger as a matter of urgency.

The former University of the North West in Mafikeng, former Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the former Sebokeng Campus of Vista University in Vanderbiljpark were merged into the North West University (NWU).

The merger was implemented in 2003 and was a symbolic act of reconciliation that embodies the nation building objectives of government.

The university is now a multiracial institution spread across two provinces, each campus operates as a business unit with a managerial structure but is supported by an Institutional Office situated in Potchefstroom.

"The disruption of the academic and research activities at the university is most unfortunate and is indicative of underlying problems to which a lasting solution must be found," Minister Pandor said.