By Ilanit Chernick
Johannesburg - It was a chaotic day at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on Wednesday as students and private security clashed sporadically.
Media was barred from entering the campus but yells and terrified screams from students could be heard with several managing to escape out of the campus with minor injuries. Several students were pepper-sprayed and others were seen with cuts and bruises.
As blood ran down his leg from a large gash on his knee, a student who asked to remain anonymous said that the private security was attacking students for no reason.
“Every time they see a group of students gathering they try to break us up.
“We weren’t doing anything. We were not breaking anything, we were not being violent. We were just singing. They come and they beat us, this is not right,” he said.
Another student said she was pepper-sprayed just for watching the protest. “I’m not even involved, I was just watching and the security came and started pepper-spraying everyone.
— Amo (@agthage) September 28, 2016
“People were being beaten, I don’t understand what happened,” she said hysterically.
A video also emerged of a student being dragged by private security at UJ today (Wednesday) after an alleged verbal altercation.
Some students then ran onto Kingsway Avenue and were stoning passing cars and private security but they were dispersed quickly by police. A journalist was hit in the head with a rock as stones and bricks were pelted across the street.
Late in the afternoon, a large group of students gathered outside the main gate at the Auckland Park campus but were barred from entering as security locked the gates.
“We are giving them five minutes to open the gate, we have a right to be on this campus,” shouted a student leader.
Earlier pictures of students from #UJ marching to Doornfontein Campus. Situation remained peaceful as they marched. #FeesMustFall pic.twitter.com/hLAC6KsGO1
— Ilanit Chernick (@LanC_02) September 28, 2016
In formation several private security guards came forward with their shields up in unison as more security chained the gates closed.
Another altercation soon broke out as students began shaking the gate and throwing rocks at the private security guards who retaliated with throwing rocks back at students.
Student leaders calmed the students who then decided to march to the UJ Doornfontein campus. The march remained peaceful with students walking through to the campus.
Wits students also joined in the march as they reached their destination successfully, however there was a very strong police presence on arrival.
Despite student attempts to shutdown UJ’s four campuses, the university said it’s determined to continue as normal with its academic programme and would not allow “a tiny minority of students to disrupt the University’s academic programme and engage in criminal activities” on its campuses.
Joe Slovo Drive barricaded. Avoid the area by the Ponty building. Situation is tense as students and pvt security clashing. #UJ #fees2017
— Ilanit Chernick (@LanC_02) September 28, 2016
Meanwhile hundreds of Wits students marched peacefully to the Chamber of Mines in the Joburg CBD.
Former SRC President Mcebo Dlamini addressed the crowd calling on the Chamber of Mines to assist in funding free education “because the black government is saying there is no funding”.
“We are speaking to the consciousness of the Chamber of Mines.
“The issue of free education also rests upon the private sector, not just government,” he said.
Dlamini said that if the Chamber of Mines doesn’t heed to students demands they will lobby unions & parents who work in mines to join the #FeesMustFall strike.
He appealed to students that they must not “abuse journalists”.
Rocks thrown - students and private security throwing at each other. #UJ #FeesMustFall @IOL pic.twitter.com/B6dC74bsQV
— Ilanit Chernick (@LanC_02) September 28, 2016
“We need their coverage. We wouldn't be here without them,” he added.
Wits has also encouraged students and staff to participate in its poll on Thursday. “This is an opportunity for you to have your voice heard regarding the resumption of the academic programme.”
The University said that the poll would take place between 7am and 4pm, electronically and via sms.
Based on the results of the poll, a decision will be made whether or not to resume academic activities on October 3.
Police on Wednesday evening fired rubber bullets at UJ students who were throwing rocks at private security personnel in retaliation for the earlier skirmishes. Joe Slovo Drive in Doornfontein was totally barricaded by rocks, rubbish and debris. A grass embankment was also set alight.
Private security staff were threatening journalists who were on the scene.
@Lanc_02
The Star