Students attempt to force their way onto the University of the Witwatersrand campus in Johannesburg on March 3 2023. (Alaister Russell)
Students at Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand on Friday vowed to intensify protests, despite management suspending some of them.
The action started on Wednesday, escalating on Thursday when students clashed with security personnel, tore down advertising banners and destroyed a bus sign.
They are protesting about students with historical debt being unable to register and a lack of accommodation, disrupting classes and forcing Braamfontein business to close.
The students want financial exclusion to end, the cap on residence allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to be scrapped and a lack of accommodation to be rectified.
Student Representative Council (SRC) member Karabo Natloga said university management was trying to silence students by suspending them.
“Our last resort has been the streets and we are going to remain here until the university and the government at large respond to the calls of the university SRC," Natloga said.
Protesting students rush to enter the Great Hall at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, on Friday, the third day of protests against the exclusion of students with historical debt from the registration process. (Alaister Russell)
Protesting students run from one entrance to another on March 3 2023 outside the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, during the third day of protests. Picture: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times (Alaister Russell)
Protesting University of the Witwatersrand students make their way through the Braamfontein, in the Johannesburg CBD, on March 3 2023. (Alaister Russell)
Security personnel stand guard as students protest outside Wits University, March 3 2023. Wits barred members of the media from the campus, saying their presence inflamed the situation. (Alaister Russell)
Protesting students make their way to the main campus of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg on March 3 2023. (Alaister Russell)
Security officers make their way in as protesting students rush to enter the University of the Witwatersrand's Great Hall on March 3 2023 in Johannesburg. (Alaister Russell)
Residents watch as protesting students make their way through Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on March 3 2023 during the third day of protest action. (Alaister Russell)
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