Limping but defiant‚ 'kidnapped' student returns to Wits‚ vows to continue struggle

18 October 2016 - 19:24 By Neo Goba

"Abducted" University of Witwatersrand student Arthur Muhamelwa is back in Gauteng and has vowed to continue with the struggle for free decolonized quality education. Wits students on Monday accused the South African Police Service of abducting Muhamelwa after he was arrested on Sunday in Johannesburg. "As much as they will try to destroy us so that we stop [protesting] don't give up. Comrades‚ we have went to far. [By] taking me to Thohoyandou [in Limpopo‚ police] thought they would kill me but now I'm back and the struggle will continue ‚" said Muhamelwa outside the Great Hall on Tuesday. He was addressing hundreds of Wits workers who had arrived on campus after marching from the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court to pledge support for arrested former student representative council president Mcebo Dlamini who was arrested over the weekend."So comrades‚ they will come and take you‚ they will come and brutalize you‚ they will come and try to destroy the leaders."But then show them power is not among the leaders‚ it is within the masses. Amandla!" Muhamelwa said.Clad in black Jeans‚ a blue long-sleeved top and sandals‚ Muhamelwa could be seen limping and appeared to be traumatized.Reports have alleged that he was driven to Limpopo and abandoned in an open veld. He had allegedly been stripped naked and tortured.Muhamelwa sent his friends a text message on Sunday that the police vehicle transporting him had just passed the Nyl toll plaza‚ and that it was headed to Limpopo.A media briefing will be held later on Tuesday evening or on Wednesday in which he plans to give details of his alleged kidnapping. He said he was waiting for the go-ahead from his legal representatives...

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