Two students were arrested overnight after several buildings at the Witwatersrand University (Wits) were pelted with rocks, with windows broken and some of the buildings damaged, the institution said on Friday.
“Some buildings were flooded after protesting students left taps open. They tried to start fires at three buildings, the fires were extinguished,” said spokeswoman Shirona Patel.
The buildings have been cleaned and lectures were set to continue, she said.
A meeting that was supposed to take place on Thursday between student leaders, mediators and Wits management was cancelled. Patel said the mediators were informed at the eleventh hour by student leaders that they would not be attending the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Mines on Thursday invited the student leaders to meet with them to discuss their memorandum and the chamber’s response.
Two weeks ago, Wits students marched to the offices of the Chamber of Mines in central Johannesburg as part of their #FeesMustFall campaign. They highlighted the mining industry’s role in the economy and also asked it to lobby government in ensuring that the higher education system did not collapse.
Students at public universities have been protesting for four weeks demanding free higher education under #FeesMustFall campaign.
The protests have been marred by destruction of university properties as running battles between students and police continue.
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