Former president of the University of Witwatersrand’s (Wits) Student Representative Council (SRC) Mcebo Dlamini was arrested in Johannesburg early on Sunday, the institution said.
Spokeswoman Shirona Patel said it was not yet known why he was arrested. The firebrand Dlamini, who is one of the leaders of the “FeesMustFall” campaign at Wits, was arrested at his student residence room and taken to Cleveland police station.
On Friday, nine people, four of whom are students, were arrested after a night of mayhem in Braamfontein where protesters vandalised property and burnt two vehicles, including an SABC outside broadcast van. Police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the protesters.
The Wits SRC posted on the Twitter page that a legal team went out to Cleveland police station.
“The SA Police Service stormed his residence room and took him. He was not told why he was arrested,” the SRC said, vowing to continue protesting. A march to the police station on Sunday to lend support to Dlamini was being planned.
The university said earlier that as a result of huge losses it suffered due to the violence and destruction of property, it decided to implement strict safety and security measures on Friday.
University buildings, libraries, and reading rooms would be closed between 9.30pm and 6am, except student and staff residences. Those who did not live on the campus would not be allowed entry during curfew times, the institution said. Bags and cars were searched before people entered the campus. Patel said lectures would resume on Monday.
Mcebo Dlamini at the Wits Fees Must Fall protest:
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