Call from 'National Front' set off nasty Tukkies clash

28 February 2016 - 02:00 By PIET RAMPEDI

The leader of Afrikaans nationalist group Front National, Wessel Basson, led an assault on black students at the University of Pretoria by calling on supporters to defend their children from "EFF anarchists" using "an eye for an eye" approach. In a pamphlet distributed at the campus on Monday, and seen by the Sunday Times, Basson summoned all "patriots" to assemble at the nearby Loftus Versfeld Stadium the following morning to defend Afrikaans and "our children", who were being "bullied on campus by a group of anarchists".The notice was distributed after students protested against the university's language policy, which they say is biased in favour of Afrikaans."This is a spontaneous action and protection is needed," Basson wrote. "Enough is enough, now it's an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth ... We fight for our language and the law. The police have shown that they are unable to protect our children."story_article_left1Basson yesterday confirmed he had published the notice, but denied his followers had protesters. He made it clear, however, his organisation would oppose moves to get rid of Afrikaans."When it comes to Afrikaans, we will fight to keep Afrikaans at the institution, because our children want to learn at the university in their mother tongue, and there is nothing wrong with that," Basson said.Supporters of the #UPrising student movement at Tuks - which comprises members of the EFF, the ANC Youth League, the South African Student Congress and the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania - clashed with members of AfriForum Youth who tried to prevent them from marching.Police and campus security officers used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the protesters, who were demanding transformation and an end to the "cultural and language domination" of blacks.Among those hit by rubber bullets was Wenzile Madonsela, daughter of the public protector, who is a leading EFF supporter on the campus.At least 27 students are out on bail of R500 each after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on charges of public violence, trespassing and malicious damage to property.#UPrising leaders accused AfriForum Youth of interfering with their "peaceful march".mini_story_image_hright1Thabo Shingange, acting chairman of the student representative council, said AfriForum Youth caused the riots by disrupting a meeting between black student leaders and university management over language policy last week.Racial tension, physical attacks and vandalism escalated at three other universities this week over a range of issues.Some students at Tuks held "peace protests".One student, Erica Davison, said they wanted lectures to continue while the transformation talks were in progress. "We want to hear everyone's stories ... we want to resolve issues together, regardless of privilege or race or economic standing, and without compromising the academic responsibility each student holds," she said.Tuks is expected to reopen for classes tomorrow after a peace deal was struck between ANC-aligned and pro-Afrikaans groups on campus. But the EFF was not party to the agreement.The university council met yesterday and agreed to the establishment of an "inclusive multiparty discussion forum" to debate and amend language and transformation policies...

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