Protesting students aim to again shut Wits down

Vox Populi Vox Dei

Vox Populi Vox Dei

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Johannesburg - Protesters disrupted lectures at the University of the Witwatersrand's Braamfontein campus on Monday morning, the institution said.

"Right now, we hear that it's students from other campuses and people from various political parties," said spokesperson Shirona Patel.

Some of those protesting were alleged to be part of the institution.

"The Wits SRC is not involved in the protest," said Patel.

The protesting group had opened fire extinguishers and sprayed them over the campus.

Wits said it condemned the act and highlighted that this was a violation of a court order that the university obtained.

"Members of campus control have been deployed to stabilise the situation. The university has summoned extra security and alerted the South African Police Services who will remain on standby. We will call on them only if required," said Patel.

There had been no report of injuries.

Patel said lecturers on campus had been given strict instruction to ensure that they and the students in classrooms remain safe.

They are to evacuate if the need arises and only return to their classrooms once the situation calmed down.
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http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/protesting-students-aim-to-again-shut-wits-down-20160404
 
Wits said it condemned the act and highlighted that this was a violation of a court order that the university obtained.
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The rule of law doesn't apply to the president, parliament, UCT students or the ANC. Why should it apply to these thugs as well?
 
Why are they protesting again?
 
Here's an idea.
Tuition fees will he based on academic results in the first semester.

You score 80+ and you study for free sponsored by the government.
 
Even more damage. Believe it or not, but fire extinguishers are rather expensive. No precedent is being set against these thugs. It's high time that they are criminally charged, and the charges seen through to a conviction and sentencing. We really do live in quite a lawless society.

Also, the lost teaching time must be starting to hurt the students who want to learn. I am quite certain things are going to get violent, as the rights of a lot of people are continiously being trampled on.
 
MaryJane said:
Even more damage. Believe it or not, but fire extinguishers are rather expensive. No precedent is being set against these thugs. It's high time that they are criminally charged, and the charges seen through to a conviction and sentencing. We really do live in quite a lawless society.

Also, the lost teaching time must be starting to hurt the students who want to learn. I am quite certain things are going to get violent, as the rights of a lot of people are continiously being trampled on.
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South Africa has held the belief that student protest is the cornerstone of the removal of apartheid. All action against students protesting for educational needs will instantly be referred to history to martyr the protesters and justify themselves even more.

I'd even risk saying that if the students of all campuses united, they could drastically bring about some attention such that the political players will use them as fuel to push agendas successfully

But, for the time being it's just ignored. Julius might be targeting the mines and the land, but I think a strong youth leader could be a huge threat to the current government

But thats just speculation.
 
Wits lecture hall set alight

JOHANNESBURG - A lecture hall at Wits University has been set alight allegedly by students who have been protesting over fees.

The protest started this morning, with students from various varsities joining the demonstration.

The students say they are fighting against the suspension of students who have been excluded for not paying their fees.

A lecture hall at the Umthombo Building is now a crime scene; red and white tape has been set up to cordon off the area.
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More at:http://ewn.co.za/2016/04/04/Wits-lecture-hall-set-alight
 
WaxLyrical said:
Here's an idea.
Tuition fees will he based on academic results in the first semester.

You score 80+ and you study for free sponsored by the government.
Click to expand...

This is the way a "free" system should be implemented. Students should pay normal fees as if there is no "free" education. After they received results the money can be transferred back to the students. Students do not get their money back for failed subjects.
 
Free education or jail - Wits EFF leader

Iavan Pijoos, News24

Johannesburg - The state wants students to be beggars because it doesn't want to give them a free education, an Economic Freedom Fighters student command leader said at the University of Witswatersrand on Monday.

Vuyani Pambo said protesters at the institution were asking for students not to be excluded or suspended on a basis of money.
"We will continue to fight. It is either free education or jail," Pambo told a group of protesters.

"Let us find each other, across political lines and borders. Unity is what we need right now."

Pambo said the students were not protesting with their mouths closed, because they were not thugs.

Protesters earlier overturned pot plants at the institution's Senate House.
The students also made their way to the main gate, where they chanted "Fees Must Fall" to police who were blocking their way.

The university management has increased security at the campus and urged staff and students to keep calm and report incidents to campus control.

No injuries have been reported. However, a fight broke out while students were protesting at the main gate.

Classes were disrupted and some windows on campus were broken. Fire extinguishers were used by the protesters.

Police have been deployed across the campus to control the situation.


News24
Source
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/free-education-or-jail-wits-eff-leader-20160404
 
Lets us grant them their wish put them all in jail till free education is possible
 
Lectures to continue despite Wits protest

The University of the Witwatersrand says classes and administrative functions will continue despite renewed protests on its Johannesburg campus.


Protesting students disrupted several classes this morning while also setting fire to the Umthombo lecture hall.


Several reports of students being assaulted have also been received.


The protesting students are calling for free education for all and student leaders from several other universities across the country were seen among the protesters.


The Wits SRC has distanced itself from the protests.


The university's Buhle Zuma says they will ensure students remain safe.
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More at:https://www.ecr.co.za/news-sport/news/lectures-to-continue-despite-wits-protest-/
 
WATCH: Screams, smoke as students storm Wits fees office 56

[video=youtube;hyY8xb6B7GY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyY8xb6B7GY[/video]
 
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