Students arrested in Wits protest
Police have arrested ten students protesting over tuition fee adjustments at the University of the Witwatersrand.
“This morning students woke up and started singing, police came and started assaulting us. Right now it’s a warzone here,” incoming Student Representative Council member Ntokozo Luthuli told News24 on Tuesday.
According to the young leader, hundreds of police and private security guards attacked students who had gathered at the institution’s entrance on Empire Road.
Student demonstrations were sparked by a tuition fee adjustment announcement by Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande on Monday. Several universities have had their hands full as students react to Nzimande’s announcement and his decision to shift the decision on fee hikes onto institutions of higher learning in the country.
Wits University’s head of communications Shirona Patel confirmed the arrests.
“This morning we had about 30 to 50 students blocking the entrance to the Braamfontein campus. They wouldn’t allow vehicles access to the campus. When asked to move ten students refused. They were then arrested,” Patel said.
Patel also said the university remains open with its academic programme continuing as per usual.
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