Students are blaming UCT’s vice-chancellor Max Price for the violence and excessive force used on them on Tuesday night. Apparently, his decision to allow the assault on the students has left many traumatised.

Picking up the responsibility for all of those involved, student activist group Rhodes Must Fall (RMF) lodged criminal complaints at Rondebosch police station on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Price and his management team have obtained an interdict against 16 students – some are leaders.

UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor, Francis Petersen, and development and alumni department executive director Russell Ally have also had a charge laid against them. RMF’s complaints against the university include assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, intimidation and malicious damage to property.

Speaking to the Cape Times outside Rondebosch police station on Thursday, RMF co-leader Simon Rakei said complaints of malicious damage to property, unlawful eviction and intimidation would also be lodged against Vetus Schola Security Services and the SAPS.

RMF spokesperson Alex Hotz:

The complaints against Price, Petersen and Ally were because they had been the decision-makers behind the use of force against students on Tuesday night.

Max Price and his executive needs to held accountable.

The struggle and fight will continue. This only fuels the need to decolonise.

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said:

We have not had anything formally communicated to us with regards to charges being laid against the UCT executive.

Until we are formally notified, we are not in a position to say anything on this matter.

UCT management obtained an interim interdict at the Western Cape High Court against 16 students. Here’s the list of names:

Chumani Maxwele, Kirsten Whitfield, Sanchia Davids, Mogezi Mayepi, Neo Reiloe Manacapa, De Waal Hugo, Itumeleng Nkululeko Molefe, Dumisani Ncubani, Athabile Nonxuba, Alex Hotz, Pam Dhlamini, Masixole Mlandu, Slovo Magida, Zola Shokane, Brian Kamanzi and Ru Slayen.

Chumani Maxwele – who flung faeces on a statue of Cecil John Rhodes – said he found it strange they had been interdicted:

A number of the students on the list, including myself, were not even there on Tuesday night. These are prominent RMF members, so this is a clear tactic by the university management to disrupt the movement.

Among the conditions of the interim interdict are that none may enter campus, except those living legally in UCT residences; may not obstruct university activities; erect unauthorised structures; destroy, damage or deface property; and incite unlawful behaviour.

[source: iol]