Cops and students exchange rocks and rubber bullets at NMMU

20 October 2016 - 14:08 By TMG Digital

Parts of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University resembled a “war zone” as students and police clashed for a second day running on Thursday. The Herald reported that several cars had been damaged by stones or rocks on the South Campus: “One woman said her windows were shattered as she was getting out of her car. It is not clear who stoned the cars.”#FeesMustFall campaign testing 'depth and resilience' of SA's democracy: RamaphosaStudents protesting for free education have raised an issue which is critical to the future of the country but those who have resorted to violence and destruction are infringing on others rights‚ Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said.Students took to social media‚ accusing police of heavy-handed tactics as video footage emerged of rocks and rubber bullets being exchanged.Around 31 people arrested on Wednesday were due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate's Court on Thursday.Harmony Vutlhari ‏tweeted: “It's a mad house at north campus NMMU‚ but here we are having a lecture ...”It's a mad house at north campus NMMU, but here we are having a lecture ... — Harmony Vutlhari (@harmony09harms) October 20, 2016async Journalist Sandy McCowen said: “Police broke gate open into NMMU Letaba residence after protesters threw rocks at them #FeesMustFall”.Police broke gate open into NMMU Letaba residence after protesters threw rocks at them #FeesMustFallpic.twitter.com/GLiyabKXSc — Sandy McCowen (@MccowenSandy) October 20, 2016async ‏@Khosie_Princess filmed police entering the residence from a vantage point above the chaos. “It's a war zone here at Letaba. Now they are trying to break the security gate...#NMMU.”It's a war zone here at Letaba. Now they are trying to break the security gate... #NMMU#NMMUFMFpic.twitter.com/8fLPaiVVAA — Palm~Pine (@Khosie_Princess) October 20, 2016async Casanova said: “We are held hostage by police at #NMMU Letaba residence we stuck in our rooms.... S/O to SSV and South come save us..RT for awareness.”We are held hostage by police at #NMMU Letaba residence we stuck in our rooms.... S/O to SSV and South come save us..RT for awareness— Casanova♡ (@Lukho_sB) October 20, 2016async The university said in a statement on Thursday: “The main springboard for the student attacks is from the Madiba Shirt area and has moved from the back of the university towards the front of South Campus.“Police are on the scene. North Campus has been secured. At least eight cars have been stoned.“Traumatised staff and students are encouraged to make use of the counselling services available at North Campus’s HR Department. Cars should not enter South Campus for now.”The Herald reported on Thursday that chaos engulfed South Campus on Wednesday as students and police clashed in a series of incidents‚ leading to the arrest of 29 students and a further two people‚ believed to be staff members.Police had clashed with students using teargas‚ stun grenades‚ rubber bullets and a water cannon to try to quell the #FeesMustFall protest.“The university has been struggling to open its doors after an almost month-long closure following nationwide protests calling for free education‚” The Herald reported. – TMG Digital/The Herald..

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