Violence erupts as police aggressively clash with students at Parliament
#FeesMustFall protesters are clashing with police at Parliament this afternoon‚ as students approached the steps of the National Assembly. Inside‚ Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene's medium term budget speech which was due to start at 2pm was delayed by calls from the EFF to postpone the speech. This was rejected by the House and Nene began to deliver his speech.As the disruption was taking place‚ students had gathered at the parliamentary gates‚ threatening to barricade parliament and prevent MPs from leaving.Live footage from Cape Town showed police beating students with batons, aggressively pushing them back and some protestors being detained as they tried to either run away or surrender.This coincided with the EFF chanting 'fees must fall' as Nene attempted to deliver his speech. As police barged in to remove the EFF, simultaneously students ran amok just outside the parliament's steps. Students continued to defy police orders to leave parliament, with many stubbornly staging a sit in and others arguing with police...
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.