A group of protesters pelted vehicles with stones overnight in Braamfontein, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.
Spokeswoman Brigadier Sally de Beer said the incident happened after University of Witwatersrand held a peaceful meeting on campus.
“Operational SAPS members have reported that after a peaceful gathering on the Wits campus from 22h00 onwards, police were alerted to a small group throwing stones at vehicles in Jorrisen and De Korte Streets, Braamfontein,” De Beer said.
“Over the course of two hours, the individuals would stone vehicles and then run into buildings as police approached. They then stoned the police members from buildings.”
Metro police assisted the SAPS then and cordoned off the area so that vehicles would not enter. De Beers said there were no reports of injuries.
“They dispersed by 2am probably because of the rain and made their way back to their residences. The SAPS members report that they did not take action as the small groups ran and hid every time they approached. We are not aware of any damages, but vehicle and shop owners should report possible damages to Hillbrow police station.”
Running battles between police and “FeesMustFall” have been ongoing in the past few weeks as hundreds of protesting university students abandoned classes to demand free higher education.
On Monday, acting police commissioner Lt. General Khomotso Phahlane said 567 people have been arrested during the student protests in 265 cases over the last eight months. The charges included violence, intimidation, and malicious damage to property.
A mass meeting on dialogue on funding by Wits students would take place late Wednesday at the Holy Trinity church near the campus. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Jay Naidoo and church leader Father Graham Pugin would speak at the meeting.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
