Two staff members among 31 protesters arrested at NMMU
A woman‚ allegedly with a bag full of stones in her possession‚ was arrested during protest action at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) on Thursday. This comes after chaos engulfed the university’s South Campus on Wednesday when 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.The 31 people who were arrested were due to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.Video footage shows the woman arrested with the bag of stones‚ wearing black pants and a green shirt‚ being put into an armoured police vehicle.Earlier in the day‚ the windows of several vehicles were smashed – one of them while a woman was getting out of a car. It is not clear who was responsible for stoning the cars.The university has been struggling to open its doors after an almost month-long closure following nationwide protests calling for free education.NMMU was meant to resume academic activities on Tuesday but protesting #FeesMustFall students have vowed to ensure that it stays closed.NMMU spokeswoman Debbie Derry said the university was surprised by this week’s protests.“Unfortunately‚ there have been disruptions … but we are committed to continue with the academic year‚” she said.– TMG Digital/The Herald..
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