UWC students hope for bail after violent protests

12 November 2015 - 13:50 By Jerome Cornelius

Family and supporters of the students who threw the University of the Western Cape into chaos yesterday gathered outside the Bellville Magistrates Court in Cape Town this morning. The 16 students‚ some apparently linked to the UWC #FeesWillFall movement‚ were arrested on campus yesterday. About 150 protesters‚ some in balaclavas‚ had arrived in the morning with bricks‚ knobkieries and sjamboks.Buildings were vandalised and several fires were started around the campus despite a heavy contingent of police and private security officers. The university said the police were armed with stun grenades‚ teargas and rubber bullets‚ and that the officers were shot at with live ammunition.The atmosphere on campus is tense and members of the movement claimed the university council ''delegitimised'' the UWC FeesWillFall campaign and its demands. These demands include free education for all.Students said they had been told that bail for the 16 would be set at R2‚000 each. One condition is that they cannot return to campus.Police told students they ''don't want any trouble'' and advised them that the court is too small to accommodate everyone...

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