Article Withdrawal Policy

We understand that authors may sometimes need to withdraw their manuscript after submission. Authors may withdraw their article at any point before it is published, without any charges.

When You Can Withdraw
Authors may request withdrawal at any of these stages:

• Before peer review begins

• During peer review

• After peer review but before acceptance

• After acceptance but before final publication

How to Withdraw
To withdraw your manuscript:

1. The corresponding author must send a written request via email to the Editor‑in‑Chief or the editorial office.

2. Explain the reason for withdrawal.

3. Confirm that all co-authors agree with the decision.

Withdrawal is only finalised once you receive confirmation from the editorial team.

Key Guidelines

• Act Early: Prompt notification saves reviewers and editors time.

• Be Professional: Frequent or unjustified withdrawals may reflect poorly and impact future submissions.

• After Acceptance: If requesting withdrawal after acceptance, please provide a strong justification, as significant resources may have been committed.

• No Post-Publication Withdrawal: Once published, manuscripts cannot be withdrawn.

  Published articles form part of the permanent scholarly record and must remain accessible to ensure transparency, accountability and academic integrity. If a serious issue is identified after publication such as a major error, ethical misconduct or legal concern the journal will initiate a formal retraction or publish a correction in line with the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) guidelines.

• Avoid Misuse

Withdrawing should not be a backdoor to double submissions or an escape from review feedback. Unethical withdrawal practices may result in future submission bans or formal reporting.

Need Help?
For questions about withdrawing your article, please contact: Thizwilondi.Mudau@univen.ac.za