• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home South Africa

Six Wits students to appear in court on public violence charges

11 March 2021, 9:23 AM  |
Tshepo Phagane Tshepo Phagane |  @SABCNews
(File Image) Police monitor a student protest at Wits University's main campus,11 March 2021.

(File Image) Police monitor a student protest at Wits University's main campus,11 March 2021.

Image: Sipho Kekana

(File Image) Police monitor a student protest at Wits University's main campus,11 March 2021.

Six Wits University students are expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Thursday morning.

The students were arrested on Wednesday during student protests over financial exclusions in Braamfontein, where Mthokozisi Ntumba (35) was fatally shot, allegedly by police.

Police Minister Bheki Cele is visiting Ntumba’s family in Kempton Park this morning:

The six students were arrested and released on bail. Police say they are likely to face charges relating to public violence.

Police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), says it has seized police firearms which will be sent for ballistic tests as part of their investigation into the death of Ntumba.

Students say demonstrations will continue until their demands are met:

The situation is calm at Wits University’s main campus in Braamfontein and there is a strong police presence in and around Wits University’s main campus.

At least eight police vehicles, including two Nyalas, are stationed near the Empire road entrance to the Wits main campus, with university security, some dressed in riot gear, having been deployed to various university entrances.

The Wits SRC has threatened to shut down the institution until their demands are met, including that all students with historical debt be allowed to register for the 2021 academic year.

Wits vice chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, is expected to hold a virtual media briefing at 10am this morning to address student demands and the state of the University’s finances.

Wits Protest | SASCO reacts to Wednesday’s events

List of demands:

 

Loading...

Loading…

Concern over police conduct during protests

Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Gauteng, says it is deeply concerned about police conduct when dealing with protests.

SAHRC Chairperson in Gauteng, Buang Jones, visited the scene yesterday afternoon. “Our presence here is to assess the situation to see how we can assist in quelling excessive use of force by members of the SAPS but we also seek to facilitate a resolution that will meet the interest of both parties. We want to speak with the Vice-Chancellor of Wits and also the student body and other student formations. On Monday next week, we will meet with the financial scheme, the meeting seeks to address some of the students across the country not just here in Wits University.”

SAHRC’s Advocate André Hurtley Gaum reacts to the events that occurred:

Meanwhile, the South African Union of Students (SAUS) has threatened to shut down all institutions of higher learning in the country should Nzimande fail to come up with a tangible solution to tuition funding.

This follows protest action at Wits University where students are demonstrating against financial exclusion.

Nzimande is today expected to address the nation on the way forward following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting which discussed the ongoing students’ protests at tertiary institutions.

The students’ organisation’s spokesperson, Solomon Khiba, says they give the government until tomorrow [Friday] to come up with a solution to the students’ plight.

Khiba says, “For the demands to be responded to we are giving the Minister today and tomorrow failure to respond on Monday we will be going to shut down all institutions and all TVET colleges in the country.”

Share article
Tags: Hillbrow Magistrates CourtMthokozisi NtumbaJohannesburgIndependent Police Investigative DirectorateIPIDBraamfonteinWits UniversityBheki Cele
Previous Post

INFOGRAPHIC | History of Wits protests

Next Post

VIDEO | The State Capture Commission continues to hear Transnet-related evidence from Siyabonga Gama

Related Posts

SANDF vehicles on show.

4 SANDF members killed in Upington head-on collision, 2 critically injured

21 September 2023, 10:10 PM
SAS Manthatisi.

SA Navy launches inquiry to investigate SAS Manthatisi submarine accident

21 September 2023, 10:08 PM
Legal experts argue that these changes may harm accident victims.

Legal professionals raise concerns over proposed amendments to RAF 

21 September 2023, 8:35 PM
Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki expresses confidence in resolving current electricity challenges in SA

21 September 2023, 8:25 PM
Lightning in the sky.

Over 200 displaced Harrismith residents plead for assistance

21 September 2023, 7:51 PM
[FILE IMAGE] A consumer counts South African rands.

Postbank assures seamless payment for social grant recipients next month

21 September 2023, 6:34 PM
Next Post

VIDEO | The State Capture Commission continues to hear Transnet-related evidence from Siyabonga Gama

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • UPDATE: Public warned not to go to W Cape beaches as another spring tide expected
  • Spring high tide leaves trail of destruction along Garden Route
  • ‘Buthelezi was a good man who did a bad man’s job’
  • A Celebration of a Legacy: Amabutho, IFP pay final tribute to Prince Buthelezi
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Maimane to take legal action against Gauteng Premier over school closures
  • Polokwane, surrounding areas brace for 12-hour water shedding
  • Cosatu in Gauteng keeps an eye on labour developments in Tshwane
  • SA Navy releases names of sub-mariners in Kommetjie tragedy
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town

LATEST

SANDF vehicles on show.
  • South Africa

4 SANDF members killed in Upington head-on collision, 2 critically injured


SAS Manthatisi.
  • South Africa

SA Navy launches inquiry to investigate SAS Manthatisi submarine accident


Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
  • Africa

Leaders in Zimbabwe need to find a lasting solution: Mbeki


ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri
  • Politics

ANC sets up committee to look at government spending


Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool C - Wales v Portugal - Allianz Riviera, Nice, France - September 16, 2023 Portugal's Vincent Pinto kicks the head of Wales' Josh Adams and is shown a yellow card by referee Karl Dickson.
  • Sport
  • Rugby

Portugal stack bench with forwards for Georgia match


Legal experts argue that these changes may harm accident victims.
  • South Africa

Legal professionals raise concerns over proposed amendments to RAF 


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous INFOGRAPHIC | History of Wits protests
Next VIDEO | The State Capture Commission continues to hear Transnet-related evidence from Siyabonga Gama