Last night got rough at UCT as police fired tear gas and flash bangs into the crowds of protestors on the campus. Students had occupied UCT’s administration Bremnar Building and police broke through make-shift locks to remove the students. This came hours after UCT’s management obtained a court order forbidding demonstrators from interfering with the university’s operations. This move was criticised by the demonstrators:
It’s rather unfortunate that the university has chosen this method instead of engaging with students, to victimise us and victimise workers at the same time.
Many of the students have been receiving increasing support from community members and university staff who agree with their calls for affordable education.
As the protests #FeesMustFall have gathered momentum across the country, action has caused reaction and some positive results. At Rhodes, students asked that the percentage required to be paid at the beginning of the year be dropped for both national and international students. Demands were met when the MIP went from 50% to 10% for nationals and from 100% to 50% for international students.
Wits, Rhodes and UCT have suspended classes for today as talks continue.
[source: ewn&ewn&activateonline]
