Johannesburg - The ANC has blamed “agent provocateurs” for provoking confrontation between students and police outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday.
A section of the building’s security fence was vandalised and tyres and portable toilets were set alight as impatient protesters demanded that President Jacob Zuma address them at the south lawn where thousands of protesters had gathered by midday.
A meeting called by Zuma with leaders of student movements was still underway inside.
Police have thrown a few stun grenades at the students, but these failed to disperse the crowd.
The ANC on Friday urged students to exercise discipline and refrain from acts of violence.
“The large majority of these students have continued to conduct themselves in a disciplined and orderly manner, which has, to a greater extent, been characteristic of the student protests across the country,” the ANC said.
“We have further noted attempts by a small grouping of students to breach the barrier wall at the Union Buildings and other unruly actions during the student protest. These actions undermine the revolutionary intent and progressive demands of the students who, to date, have conducted themselves in a largely exemplary manner.
“The ANC appeals to the resolute, determined and disciplined students to distance themselves from these agent provocateurs who seem determined to provoke confrontation between the students and police and exploit the students grievances to undermine and embarrass the organisations and students who have determinedly undertaken these protests to date”.
The party called on the police to exercise restraint.
ANA
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