Police shot rubber bullets at protesting students outside the University of the Witwatersrand’s Great Hall on Monday afternoon.
The cops had come under attack from students throwing rocks and other projectiles. Journalists covering the scene were seen being manhandled by protesters.
Students had‚ in defiance of tough protest conditions laid down by the university at the weekend‚ disrupted classes on Monday morning. At least two students face immediate suspensions under those conditions after being arrested.
Student newspaper WitsVuvuzela @WitsVuvuzela tweeted: “#Wits confirms that the FNB building has been flooded & 2 students have been arrested. #FeesMustFall”
>https://twitter.com/WitsVuvuzela/status/785405656253759489Reports said the students had been arrested for carrying sticks and forcing other students out of classes.
Management had warned at the weekend‚ ahead of Monday’s resumption of academic activities‚ that: “We are completely opposed to violent protest. As such‚ anyone carrying rocks‚ stones‚ weapons or any other items that can be used to destroy property or inflict harm‚ will immediately be disarmed‚ and may be suspended.”
Other students were wearing masks‚ in defiance of an edict which said: “Any person using items to deliberately conceal their identity‚ may be suspended.”
“We are all completely opposed to the intimidation of staff or students or the disruption of academic activities. As such‚ any person/s intimidating students to leave a classroom or building‚ or disrupting any university activity‚ may be suspended‚” Wits cautioned. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital