Tensions finally exploded between Wits University students and security officers when the group started throwing objects towards each other during the second day of protests and demonstration by students against being excluded from the university because of historical debt.
Tensions were raised when the guards tried to stop the students from entering the Wits administration building, the Great Hall.
The pushing and shoving went on for a while but Nehawu workers who had joined the strike in sympathy finally succeeded in stopping both sides from fighting each other.
Minutes after the violence stopped four police Nyalas came charging to disperse the two groups and the JMPD also arrived ready to fire rubber bullets but the students retreated.
An emotional SRC President Aphiwe Mnyamana said it is unacceptable that students are denied access in their campus.
“You saw them throwing stones and bricks at us in our university which we deserve to be in. We won’t retreat, we will fight for our rights, Zeblon Vilakazi must come and address us.
“It’s a lie that we don’t want to engage with management. He (Vilakazi) is adamant he doesn’t want to come. Nehawu members working at the campus joined the strike but as soon violence erupted most of them ran for their lives”.
Nehawu Branch Secretary Thabo Modise said the union supports the students and that financial exclusion is not something that they should be talking about in 2023. But they too had their own issues and decided to join the striking students to highlight their demands for a 10% salary increase.
The university barred the media from the campus and Wits University Spokesperson Shirona Patel said it was for safety reasons.
“University has indicated that the media will not be allowed onto campus for the moment. It is felt that the presence of cameras could inflame the situation and cause further violence and disruptions. The University has the responsibility to protect its staff, students and property, including journalists on its campuses, and reserves the right to admit or limit access as appropriate,” she said.
