UPDATED: So much for the 17h00 removal – it seems preparation for removal of the statue is already well on it’s way.

Thanks, Ross.

As mentioned earlier this morning, the Rhodes statue will be removed today at 17h00, so go and bid your farewells if you feel the need. In the meantime, the statue issue has caused much news to come from UCT in the past few weeks, with many debates and gatherings happening to discuss whether or not a removal is necessary.

According to reports, yesterday may have been the most heated of any recent days, with rumours of two police Casspirs arriving on Upper Campus.

UCT council members were in a meeting to discuss the imminent removal when “students blocked council members from leaving” the meeting saying the meeting was not legitimate “because there are no black women representatives”.

Seems if it’s not one issue, then it’s another.

According to Lauren Hess from News24, the council told students “they either go and let meeting continue or meeting will be delayed”.

Vice Chancellor Max Price said that he had not called in the police but that the regular campus security was on duty as usual.

Because of the delays caused to the council meeting yesterday, the announcement of whether the statue stays or goes was also delayed. Students then started “beating bins and singing songs” whilst gathered, waiting.

Students took to Twitter during the evening, posting images and comments.

I particularly enjoyed this one. Your university? No, dear, you are lucky to be at UCT. It is an establishment that is provided to you, generously, by South Africa, that you are privileged enough to attend for a handful of years. Ah, mob mentality at it’s greatest.

[Source: News24]