A 20-year-old student fell to his death at the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha on Monday after violence erupted on the campus, Eastern Cape police said.
“He was on the roof of a campus building with many other students,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela.
“Some of them were throwing stones at police.”
The student apparently stepped on a plastic skylight and fell through.
He was from Bizana and studying a course in the education field. Thirteen other students were arrested for public violence.
Earlier, police said protesting students blockaded roads with rubbish bins, iron rods and other items.
“They were extremely violent. They damaged property, burnt tyres and papers, and threw stones at police and other people.”
Police vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. Police fired rubber bullets at the crowd to try and disperse it.
About 1000 students had been protesting since 6am on the Nelson Mandela Drive campus. Fatyela said students were demanding passes even though they had failed their tests.
The crowd began dispersing after 3.40pm. – Sapa