Photo by [South African Live]
On Sunday, a large contingent of protesting students marched to demonstrate at the home of Wits University’s Vice Chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi. The demonstration followed a weekend meeting between the SRC and the institution’s management in which the SRC rejected the concessions presented by the University.
The University stated, “Following this mass meeting, about 200 students, led by the SRC, chose to march to the [Vice Chancellor’s] home, and some threatened to burn it down.”
However, in a social media post, the SRC refuted the claims made by the institution stating students were going to “peacefully sleep” outside the VC’s home to prove how dire the situation is at present.
The Wits SRC Deputy President Kamogelo Mabe said that amongst the protesters, there were students who had a genuine cause for concern, as they were the ones who did not have places to stay.
“It is important to note that yesterday [Sunday], we had seen students who were very genuine in this call, saying that they were going to sleep outside the Vice Chancellor’s house … Most of the students that were there are students who do not have a place … And you can see that they are agitated and concerned.”
Student Demonstration Turned Violent
Reports suggest protesting students have engaged with security personnel, disrupted classrooms, damaged properties and infrastructure, blocked off roads and caused stores in Braamfontein to shut down temporarily.
So far, a handful of students have been suspended by the University for escalating the protests, in addition to SRC President Aphiwe Mnyamana, who was suspended yesterday.
Mabe said the demonstrations would continue so long as they have the support of students and student entities. Until the students’ needs are met, the protests will only intensify.
“In terms of intensifying, it’s to ensure that the ground is covered more, to ensure that there are more numbers and there are more parties on the ground and to ensure that in whatever demonstrations, we are there …. To showcase peaceful protests …. Intensifying is not necessarily saying that we want this to be violent, no. It’s not about being violent because we understand that, most important, there are people rallying behind us and understanding our cause. Obviously, turning [it] into a violent nature means that we are deterring from our mission.”
SMread| Another massive fire at Rohingya refugee camp leaves thousands homeless
Accountability for Student Escalation
The Deputy President of SRC said student leaders accept accountability when things spiral out of control. For the most part they try to be present on the ground and prevent escalation.
“As student leaders, whenever things do spiral out of control, we do take accountability. And we do also come onto the ground to urge the supporters and the people … To at least follow [the] mandate as to how we should go about [addressing things] in certain circumstances … As and when the time approaches on the ground.”
However, confrontations did break out at the campuses between security personnel and students. Three security guards were allegedly injured after they were pelted with rocks by students.
Mabe added it was unfortunate the way the situation escalated. However, he believes the blame should be placed on both sides, not primarily the students, as rocks were thrown back towards them.
