GALLERY: Tensions rise on third day of protests

From the early hours of Friday morning, the ongoing #WitsShutdown protests became physical.

Things came to a head between protesting students and private security officers and Campus Protection Services (CPS) on March 3, 2023. What started out as security using their shields to bar students from entering buildings or using certain entrances, quickly escalated into water, bricks and other projectiles being hurled by some protestors.

Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have now entered the fray, with multiple nyala’s standing at the ready in front of the Great Hall steps to provide reinforcements.

EFF Student Command members joined the protest.
A student holds up a placard which reads “Wits is not for good. It is depriving us education and shelter, our basic human rights!!!” Photo: Mpho Hlakudi.
A student wears a t-shirt with “Hasta la Victoria Siempre” written on it, which means “Until victory, always” in Spanish.
Bricks being ripped off the
A water bottle being emptied out onto a private security officer.
A protesting student addressing a security officer.
Protesting members of NEHAWU joined protesting students and are seen attempting to calm tensions.
A traffic cone about to be flung at security officers.
Remnants of some of the things thrown at officers lie on the floor at the top of the Great Hall steps.
A student protester sings into the loudspeaker. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
Protesting students gathered at the Wits amphitheatre as members of the SRC addressed them. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi.