‘Abducted’ Wits student on the way to Joburg

Wits student Arthur Muhamelwa was arrested in Johannesburg. Photo: @FeesMustFallWC

Wits student Arthur Muhamelwa was arrested in Johannesburg. Photo: @FeesMustFallWC

Published Oct 17, 2016

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Johannesburg - University of Witwatersrand student Arthur Muhamelwa, arrested in Johannesburg and abandoned allegedly by police in Limpopo has been located and was on his way back, the university said on Monday.

“The office of the dean of students has located him and he is on the way to Johannesburg. He apparently made contact from Venda, Limpopo. We do not know how he left or if someone accompanied him,” said spokeswoman Shirona Patel.

Earlier on Monday, Wits student leader Shaeera Kalla said Mahomelwa, who was arrested on Sunday, “was abducted” and left in Limpopo by police. He had allegedly been stripped naked and tortured, she said.

“He turned up in Limpopo after his arrest and is traumatised. We are facing police brutality, our universities resemble war zones. We are victimised and intimidated… we are going to legally challenge the way we are being treated… our vice-chancellors have handed over campuses to the police,” said the former Wits president.

Police spokeswoman Sally de Beer said police knew nothing about the incident.

“The SAPS is unaware of any police action of this nature. We would request the complainant to open a case and we are willing to liaise with the university to send a member to obtain an affidavit to this end,” she said in short statement.

Meanwhile Wits student leader Mcebo Dlamini was remanded in custody and would be back in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after a brief appearance earlier. He was arrested at his student residence room on Sunday and faced five charges including theft, public violence and malicious damage to property.

Police commissioner Lieutenant General Khomotso Phahlane was due to brief media in Pretoria on the ongoing ‘FessMustFall’ protests. University campuses have been engulfed by protests as students abandon classes calling for the implementation of free higher education.

African News Agency

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