Student protests at UWC and many other universities across the country are still under way as, although the annual fee increase has been halted for the year 2016, each student body brought up their own demands, unique to the institution they attend.
As protests at UWC turned violent yesterday, riot police were called onto the campus around noon. The students reportedly set bins alight in residences on the campus in an effort to cancel exams. They used stun grenades to disperse students and most of the staff have left the campus.
A campus fire and medical officer responded to the fire-alarms set off by the protesting students, and upon his arrival at the residences he was attacked and badly assaulted by the protesting group.
Afternoon exams were halted in the Main Hall at the Bellville campus after fire extinguishers were let off inside. The finance office on campus was set alight, too.
A building on fire at #UWCShutDown and fire fighters are here @eNCA pic.twitter.com/KjoosQ3fJL
— Bonga Dlulane (@BongaDlulane) November 11, 2015
The protesting students were carrying sjamboks, bricks, knob-kieries and some were wearing balaclavas. One female safety officer was assaulted and threatened at knife-point. Before midday, things just went crazy. Bricks were flying and we were locked in the library. I tried to hide because I was afraid I would get hurt. I just want to get home now. It’s too volatile here.
This #UWCShutDown sounds like a warzone and not university @eNCA pic.twitter.com/lSArlyniuh — Bonga Dlulane (@BongaDlulane) November 11, 2015
Another five students arrested @eNCA as #UWCShutDown pic.twitter.com/oZpx6B2k2j
— Bonga Dlulane (@BongaDlulane) November 11, 2015
One of the 8 students arrested right now at #UWCShutDown @eNCA pic.twitter.com/uW5ALPh2tb
— Bonga Dlulane (@BongaDlulane) November 11, 2015
