“Sad”: UJ Student Panics Over Missing Last Exam After Being Locked in Res Amid Protests, SA Moved

• A University of Johannesburg (UJ) student shared an emotional video after being locked inside her residence by accommodation management, before writing her final exam
• The lockdown occurred at Thrive (Kingsway Place) student accommodation during escalating protests led by the EFF student representatives over controversial “top-up" fees
• Viewers were deeply disturbed by the footage and criticised the residence for its handling of the situation
• Briefly News reached out to Caitlin Mafuxwana Otipa, the student who was emotional after being locked inside the student accommodation before she was set to write her final exam

An emotional video posted on TikTok sparked widespread outrage across South Africa after a UJ first-year student filmed herself emotional when residence officials locked the gates during a protest, making her panic about missing her exam. The video shared on 11 June 2026 by TikTok user @shamarsballzack shows the young woman in distress.

She explained that despite providing proof to the building management that she had an exam to write, she was barred from leaving the premises. Through tears, she shared her anger over the situation, noting that she could not afford to write a supplementary exam. Students at the Thrive (Kingsway Place) accommodation facility in Johannesburg launched protests after alleged management demands of extra “top-up” fees of up to R1,000 per month. The students argue that these additional charges violate NSFAS policies, which ban private accommodation providers from demanding extra payments beyond the funded allowance.

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NSFAS policy on “top-up” fees

The ongoing protests at the accommodation stem from students' frustration regarding extra fees demanded by private accommodation providers. According to an official NSFAS Media Statement, dated 6 February 2025, the scheme prohibits private accommodation providers from charging NSFAS-funded students any top-up fees or deposits beyond the agreed-upon cap. The policy states that accommodation providers who demand extra payments from students are in breach of their terms, as the allowance provided by NSFAS is meant to cover the full scope of affordable student housing. Students at the Kingsway facility have accused Thrive management of disregarding this policy by squeezing them for extra cash.

Watch the TikTok video below:

The stress of being locked in the residence

The Briefly News team reached out to Caitlin, a first-year student who was worried about supplementing her final exam after being locked in at Kingsway Place amid the student protests.

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We asked how the emotional toll of being locked in the university residence during an exam period was. The student shared:

“The emotional toll of this situation was overwhelming. During the course of the event, I experienced fear, anxiety, stress, and, most of all, anger. I felt as though I was being denied my right to education. I had studied extremely hard for that exam, and it felt like all of my effort was going to waste. The module in question was my weakest subject, and my semester mark was already quite low. The exam was my opportunity to achieve the mark I needed. However, due to the protest and lockdown, I was only released when there was approximately one hour left before the exam ended.”

Concerned, the team asked whether she had made it to the exam on time. She said:

"According to university rules, students who arrive more than 30 minutes late are not permitted to write. This left me in a state of panic, and I had to go directly to the faculty to explain my situation and request assistance. It was an incredibly stressful and emotional experience.”

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The team if she thinks Thrive management should have done differently, instead of locking the security gates. She responded:

“I believe Thrive management should have engaged with students and listened to their concerns, as they had initially promised to do. Students had already held a peaceful protest the week before, making their grievances known. Instead of locking the security gates and restricting movement, management should have prioritised communication and worked towards a solution that would not negatively affect students, especially during exam season.”

When asked if she thinks Thrive ignored the NSFAS ban on top-up fees, and what action students want taken against them. Caitlin said:

“One of the major concerns among students is the allegation that Thrive issued two different lease agreements: one signed with NSFAS and the University of Johannesburg reflecting the agreed amount, and another issued to students reflecting a higher amount. While management addressed several issues, they did not adequately address the concerns surrounding the alleged double leasing, which remains one of the biggest frustrations for students. Personally, I feel that Thrive is more focused on protecting its image than on accommodating and safeguarding its students' well-being and basic needs.

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The issue extends beyond accommodation fees; it concerns students’ rights, access to education, and fair treatment. Many students want legal action to be taken regarding what they believe was an infringement of their basic rights, and I support that position. I take my education very seriously, and no student should have to choose between complying with residence management and accessing their education. This situation was far deeper and more damaging than many people realise, but it is a conversation that still needs to be had.”

Mzansi comforts the devastated student

The video left many social media users disturbed by the facility's actions and concerned about the student's emotional state. They offered her comfort, while others slammed the accommodation management for compromising the girl's academic future. A few fellow residents chimed in, claiming that the lockdown was handled poorly and noted they were only informed that the gates would be locked less than 20 minutes before it started.

User @its.naled_iiii said:

"Thrive isn’t real, shem. I don’t recommend any Thrive building."

User @Ayanda shared:

"Aw, babe! I'm so sorry😭💔. Did you end up writing 🥺?"

User @Kgaugelo commented:

"And they're sending out the messages at 8:57, telling us that the lockdown starts at 9:15. This is so upsetting."

User @seloanemanana shared:

"Yoh! This is so sad 💔😭."

User @Tshepang Tshepang commented:

"This is the worst kind of hurt. Why would they do this😭? Ka (during the) exam season. I am so sorry, my heart bleeds for you❤️."

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User @𝕬𝖒𝖆𝖍𝖑𝖊 𝕸𝖇💋 said:

"Bro, I'd be fuming, yoh 😭."

3 Briefly News articles about university students

• A university student shared a candid slideshow detailing his various side hustles to survive, including selling food, snacks, and electronic gadgets.
• A university student had the online community move after sharing a heartfelt post thanking her parents for buying her essentials.
• A young student was filmed confidently running his small business, selling food to fellow residents at his university accommodation, impressing many social media users.

Source: Briefly News