Parliament protesters speak in aftermath of clash with police

26 October 2016 - 19:19 By TMG Digital

Burning rubbish‚ smashed shop windows and roads littered with rocks were left behind in the aftermath of clashes between protesters and police outside parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday afternoon. Police cordoned off several roads leading to parliament and commuters were caught up in early afternoon gridlock. The peaceful protest turned violent at 3pm.While rubber bullets‚ stun grenades and rocks flew during sporadic clashes in parts of the city‚ TMG Digital asked some of the protesters – which included university workers and parents - for their perspective on the march.Students will remain angry until they have free education: MalemaEFF leader Julius Malema says students will remain angry until free education is handed to them. Ethel Rondile‚ a cleaner at the University of Cape Town‚ supported the #FeesMustFall demands because she said workers wanted the institution to employ them permanently."These are our children‚ it is a pity that the government we voted for‚ that of Jacob Zuma‚ is nowhere to be seen‚" said Rondile."Instead of coming out and addressing the students‚ they are sending police. They must demilitarise the campuses."Sindiswa Mbambo‚ a security guard at UCT‚ echoed her sentiments."We want the university to employ us. When we are permanently employed we will get benefits such as medical aid and our children will study for free‚" she said.UCT student Lukhanyo Vanqa said: "We are on the right side of history". He added: "We must use violence‚ violence gives us power."Social media was awash with images of the aftermath of the march.Sullivan Photography said in a tweet: “Current situation in Cape Town CBD. #FeesMustFall #uct #cput #uwc #fees2017” Current situation in Cape Town CBD. #FeesMustFall#uct#cput#uwc#fees2017pic.twitter.com/L7YpUuiZY8 — Sullivan Photography (@Sullphotography) October 26, 2016s Journalist Tshego ‏posted an image of smashed windows at a fast food outlet in the city. A @McDonalds shop stoned at CT train station as many shops close their doors @DailyVoiceSA@IOL#FeesMustFallpic.twitter.com/tGBsfAajfX — Tshego (@tshegofatsang) October 26, 2016Not loving itJournalist Graeme Raubenheimer ‏said: “McDonalds Windows smashed at CT Station‚ after students were pushed this way earlier by riot police - #FeesMarch” McDonalds Windows smashed at CT Station, after students were pushed this way earlier by riot police - #FeesMarchpic.twitter.com/NTMRivZ7iq — Graeme Raubenheimer (@GraemeRauby) October 26, 2016reallyTshego captured some of the chaos at Strand Street. Chaos at Strand Street where students started fire with cops firing stun grenades #FeesMustFall@IOL@DailyVoiceSApic.twitter.com/NU3EQJjMKm — Tshego (@tshegofatsang) October 26, 2016dPaul Herman tweeted an image of the sight that greeted him walking back to parliament. Walking south back to Parliament. Litter in Plein Street Walking south back to Parliament. Litter in Plein Street. #FeesMarch@News24pic.twitter.com/8t5KodTjJS — Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016c-TMG Digital/Cape Newsroom..

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