Wits students arrested

2007-10-03 20:36

Johannesburg - Two students were arrested at Wits University on Wednesday after protesters threw bricks and stones at motorists and buses during a march over fees.

Police spokesperson Cheryl Engelbrecht said the two leaders of the Student Representative Council (SRC) faced charges of public violence, interference with police duties, assaulting a police officer and intimidation.

They allegedly began throwing stones at private cars and buses in a bid to prevent students from leaving the campus, she said.

Engelbrecht said: "Stones and bricks were thrown and after police intervened, the two leaders were arrested."

She said rubber bullets were fired by the police to disperse the crowd.

Protests about fees

The two students, a male and a female in their 20s, were expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

The situation was calm on Wednesday evening, but police would remain on the scene to monitor the situation throughout the night.

University registrar Derek Swemmer said reports that the president and deputy president of the SRC had been arrested were received, but the university was waiting for verification of this from the police.

Swemmer said: "The safety and security of students, staff and visitors to the University is of utmost importance and we deeply regret the disruption and intimidation that some of our staff and students have had to endure."

About 500 students protested on the university's East and West campuses over increases in the up-front fee payment they have to make and against students having to pay for their own accommodation.

Swemmer said the privatisation of residences was due to an increase of students from 20 000 to 25 000 students.

- SAPA