Venda varsity students held

2003-07-22 12:10

Thohoyandou - Fifty-eight students at the University of Venda have been arrested on public violence charges, police reported on Tuesday.

Captain Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said police were called in about 18:00 on Monday when angry students began damaging university property. Stones were thrown at cars, including a police car, and the security office at the university's main entrance was damaged by fire.

Mushavhanamadi said the students appeared to be angry over arrangements for the payment of their fees.

They were under the impression that they could pay at the end of the year, but when the university re-opened a week ago they were told that they had to pay before they would be given their results for the first half of the year and be allowed to attend lectures.

The students drew up a petition and held demonstrations, said Mushavhanamadi.

Matters took a turn for the worse on Monday when the demonstrations became violent and resulted in damage to lecture rooms and the university's main entrance.

The 58 students would appear in court on Tuesday or Wednesday.

- SAPA