WATCH: Wits student injured after stun grenade 'detonates near her'
A female student was injured and treated by paramedics in Braamfontein on Wednesday afternoon as Wits University students clashed with police during their protest against the announcement on fee increases on Monday.
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesting students who are adamant that free education is feasible as university protests enter their third day, despite the Treasury saying those who can afford to should pay fees.
Videos surfaced of more clashes on social media on Wednesday. It appears the woman suffered burn marks as police fired stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of students who were marching in Jorissen Street who was carried to a nearby ambulance.
Other students surrounded the injured student and gave her water to drink. She was taken by paramedics to an ambulance where she received assistance. Wits announced the suspension of all university activities for the rest of the week following events of Tuesday where students barricaded entrances to the Wits Braamfontein campus and clashed with security.
Management said students‚ academics‚ professional and academic staff need not come to Wits campuses on Wednesday. The university said it condemned the actions of those who perpetrated acts of violence and would take action against them once they were identified.
The nationwide protests, which threatened to rival those of the #FeesMustFall campaign a year ago, were triggered by an announcement on Monday by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande that fee increases for next year would be decided by individual universities, but that they must be capped at 8%.
Footage emerged of grenades being launched at the crowd of students:
Lindokuhle Xulu on Twitter
Grenades launched as the crowds run away #Wits #Fees2017 https://t.co/yWVHDeqZ4G
While @the_pixelat0r posted a video of students throwing rocks at police.
Students fight back with rocks after cops dispersed them with teargas, cops are armed shooting back #Witspic.twitter.com/eYEmNXrs00
— Shakesqueer (@the_pixelat0r) September 21, 2016
The Wits SRC tweeted:
All we want is to be educated. All SAPS want is to see us hurt. pic.twitter.com/wzUnGdczko
— Wits SRC (@WitsSRC) September 21, 2016