Cops called onto UCT campus after students throw petrol bomb

05 October 2016 - 08:40 By TMG Digital

Protesters threw petrol bombs after campus security tried to prevent them “unlawfully occupying” the Steve Biko Students’ Union building at the University of Cape Town (UCT) on Wednesday morning. Police had to be called onto campus‚ and an officer was injured as they “attempted to bring the situation under control”.Despite the violence‚ UCT’s Gerda Kruger said: “It is the university’s hope and intention to restore the situation on upper campus to an extent that the institution can open today‚ Wednesday.” She said students “were prevented from entering and occupying the building at approximately 4.30pm” on Tuesday‚ and “at some point after midnight the group increased to about 200 people”.“They started throwing stones at the security staff and attacking security guards with sticks. They stormed the building breaking doors and windows of the building‚” Kruger added. “The security tried to protect the building by forming a human chain but it was breached and two students broke through and entered the building. Several petrol bombs were also thrown‚ starting fires in the P9 parking area outside the Steve Biko Students’ Union building.”The SAPS were called onto campus at about 1am and “six stun grenades were used”. Kruger said: “At 2.57‚ the fire was still burning on Jammie plaza. All other fires had been extinguished by this time. SAPS are still on campus.” ..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.