AfriForum Youth on Tuesday said it had contracted a private security firm to ensure the safety of non-protesting students at the Elsenburg Agricultural College after a video was released by the organisation which shows students being assaulted with whips by protesting students and members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
“The video also shows non-protesting students removing EFF members from the premises. The video was taken by a student this morning (Tuesday) during the illegal and violent protest‚ which started yesterday‚ and sent to AfriForum Youth‚” a statement said.
AfriForum Youth said it was also busy with preparations to obtain an urgent court interdict. “Should they successfully obtain the interdict‚ the college will be forced to take action against the protesters. They will also be arrested.
“Legal action against the police will also be considered since they failed to enforce order and protect the students despite being present at the scene.”
AfriForum Youth said that all classes at the college would be suspended until further notice after yet another disruption by students on Tuesday. “The leaders of this protest are a few students studying at the college as well as EFF members who arrived in mini busses.
“Protestors locked classroom doors with chains and locks and allegedly spat in the faces of non-protesting students while cursing at them.
“Many of the protestors are not students at the college‚ we cannot understand why the college still allows EFF members to enter the premises. Management has lost control over Elsenburg‚” said Henk Maree‚ national chairman of AfriForum Youth.
In reaction to the violence at the college‚ the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it “strongly condemns the thuggish behaviour” by EFF-aligned students at the college.
“Students were assaulted with whips by protesting members. Yesterday‚ lectures came to a grinding halt as classes were locked by the EFF. We will be looking to lay criminal charges against this behaviour‚” DA MP Annette Steyn said.
“The EFF is clearly sowing racial division and hatred amongst students. This will only result in more conflict on our campuses – when we should all be working together to build an inclusive environment for all‚” she said.
Source: RDM News Wire.
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