Cape Town – The University of the Western Cape (UWC) was calm on Thursday after chaos had erupted on the Belville campus on Wednesday.
“Following yesterday’s events, the campus is quiet at the moment,” said UWC spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo.
Campus was quiet as protestors made their way to the Belville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning to support the 10 students who were arrested and charged after Wednesday’s protest action.
Students began protesting on Wednesday after it was alleged a mail had been sent by the chairperson of the university council that an interdict against protesting students be sought.
The protests quickly turned violent, with students allegedly attacking peers who had elected to write exams. Windows were broken, furniture used for fires, and burning barricades put up around campus. Public Order Policing were called in and remained throughout the night, using teargas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse students.
“We apologise to the thousands of parents and students who have been inconvenienced by the violence and vandalism yesterday, which resulted in widespread damage on campus and at the university residences,” said Tyhalibongo.
He added that the university condemned the actions of the #uwcfeesmustfall (FMF) movement. “We are deeply shocked and disappointed that the future leaders of society can act in this way, by disrupting, assaulting and intimidating students and staff. The total disregard of others’ rights is unacceptable.”
FMF leader Sive Mama, speaking to news channel eNCA on Thursday, said media and UWC had skewed events on campus. She said that students were frustrated that the university, particularly council, declared an agreement about no registration fees null and void.
On the destruction of university property, Mama said UWC were to take full responsibility as they had provoked students by ignoring their demands.
“Only when we protest do they listen,” said Mama in an interview with eNCA.
She said that the plan for Thursday was to show solidarity with arrested students in court and then meet with parents about the way forward.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) in the Western Cape and the Democratic Alliance (DA) condemned students’ actions.
“The ANC in the Western Cape condemns the acts of violence at UWC in the strongest possible terms,” said the party’s provincial spokesperson Faiez Jacobs.
“We want to make it absolutely clear that the right to protest does not include a licence to disrupt the lives and rights of others.”
The DA’s interim youth leader Yusuf Cassim remarked: “The DA does not support violence of any form and violent students must desist from such activity.”
“It is indeed disappointing that these students have acted inconsistently with the peaceful student movements that were seen across the country last month. This is disservice to so many students across the South Africa,” he said.
Cassim added that police and campus security displayed restraint in restoring peace and order on campus while students were urged to focus on exams.
Exams at UWC had since been suspended and were scheduled to resume on Monday.
ANA
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