MASS MARCH: The #FreeMustFall students march on Jorrisen Street in Braamfontein. Photo: Nokuthula Zwane
Week two of the #FeesMustFall student protests comes with students drafting memoranda, burning property and marching around campuses following the shutdown of most universities.
THE DEPARTMENT of Higher Education and Training last week announced that institutions may increase fees to a maximum of 8%.
Wits University: The Wits #FeesMustFall students have drafted various memoranda handing them over to different stakeholders around the issues of free education. Protests which have been led by former SRC President Mcebo Dlamini and other student leaders started the week ith a march to the Wits medical campus. While addressing the students Dlamini said med school is the most racist campus at Wits. “Racism is institutionalised in their application form,” said Dlamini. On Wednesday this week, students walked to the South African Chamber of Mines to hand over a memorandum of demands to board representative, Vusi Mabena. Mabena indicated that the Chamber will get back to students in two weeks. On Thursday, the university ran an anonymous electronic poll asking staff and students: “Should Wits open on Monday, 3 October subject to propriate security protocols being in place?” The results of the yes/no poll are expected this weekend.
COMMOTION: Students flee from ammunition into Wits campus. Photo: Nozipho Mpanza
Rhodes University: Shots were fired by police at students at Rhodes University during student protests on Wednesday. Hashtag #RhodesMustFall trended on Twitter after a video of a student being shot and arrested by the SAPS went viral. At least 10 students were arrested as a protest over fees descended into chaos and reports of violence, according to reports by Oppidan Press.
According to EyeWitnessNews, all academic activities have been suspended and students were told to vacate the residences. On Tuesday, Rhodes vice chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, published his reponse to a letter from a student who expressed her wishes to return to campus. “Many students are rightly worried that the disturbances on campus might seriously jeopardise their future as they cannot afford to have an academic year wasted,” Mabizela said.
University of Johannesburg: All academic activities at the University of Johannesburg proceeded as scheduled despite mobilisation of students on all campuses. On Wednesday evening the student protest turned violent at the Doornfontein campus when chaos erupted during a confrontation between private security and students. A fun walk planned for this weekend has been postponed until further notice. “It is a pity that this initiative which aimed to raise funds for the ‘Missing Middle’ has been affected by the current disturbances on our campuses,” said management. Private security at the campus made headlines for pepper spraying staff , students and journalists.
PROTEST CLASH Student treated after being pepper sprayed. Photo: Thando Moyo.
University of Limpopo: Students of the University of Limpopo have joined the #FeesMustFall movement after a week of business as usual on campuses since the start of #FeesMustFallReloaded. On the September 26, the University of Limpopo released a statement that the university will be suspending all academic activities for two days following engagement with students on campus on matters surrounding last week’s announcement by the Minister of Higher Education and Training. According to a statement released by management, the university suspended the all academic activities indefinitely. In a statement released from Vice Chancellor Mahlo Mokgalong’s office, all students were instructed to vacate residences by 17h00 as the university would be shut down indefinitely on Wednesday.
SHUTDOWN: University of Limpopo has announced a “immediate shutdown” of all academic activities. Photo: Provided
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