Pretoria - Wits University is calm this morning, with police on standby following clashes between police and students on the main campus on Tuesday.
“This morning remains calm, with no reported incidents thus far. Police [will be deployed]… when necessary,” South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Sally de Beer told SAnews on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Wits University management announced that an agreement had been reached with the Black Student Society and Student Representative Council (SRC) for the academic programme to resume next Monday.
The institution has also agreed to withdraw police to the perimeter of the university's campuses, with a commitment from parties that there will be no violence.
“We have made this concession because we do not want the scenes that played out on our university campuses to be repeated. Such scenes put our students and staff on edge and do not enable a full resumption of the academic programme.
“If a negotiated outcome can achieve this end, then we will be all the stronger as a university community. The student constituency is as committed as we are to salvaging the 2016 academic year,” Wits said in a statement.
Police clashed with students on the East Braamfontein campus on Tuesday. Seventeen students were arrested in relation to the violation of a court order on gatherings and public violence. They will appear in court this morning, De Beer said.
Two police officers, a lecturer and several students were injured.
Acting Police Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane on Tuesday said SAPS will be deploy to any area in the country where the law is being broken and stability threatened, including at universities.
“We will not hesitate to take action, albeit with minimum force, to arrest those breaking the law and instigating others to violence. We also find deplorable the actions of those resorting to exposing themselves as an attempt to detract police officers.”
He asked student leaders to refrain from making inflammatory remarks.
The police’s ultimate goal, Phahlane said, is to deescalate violence, while upholding the right to peaceful and lawful protest.
“Some statements being made and actions taken are having the opposite effect. Consideration must be given to the long-term implications of senseless destruction and violence.
“Arson, throwing stones and firing rubber bullets cannot in any way be perceived to be the solution. Any injuries caused to date to students, police members and other bystanders are regrettable.”
Phahlane also rejected claims that the police service is a bloodthirsty organisation. - SAnews.go.za
