By: Katleho Sekhotho
Tensions are still high at Wits university as protesting students refuse to back down on their demands. Wits students clashed with security guards on Friday, 03 March, with some barging into the Great Hall.
Several Wits staff members associated with NEHAWU have also joined the student demonstrations.
Chaos erupted earlier at Wits University when students threw rocks at the windows of the Great Hall and at security guards.
This resulted in security using teargas to disperse the angry groups of students.
Scenes when students gained entry onto #WitsUniversity grounds. Second frame is SRC President Aphiwe Mnyamana. MP pic.twitter.com/HG1oLxkHft
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) March 3, 2023
Students say the university has a surplus of funds from last year to assist students who are in need.
Some of the list of demands are for Wits to:
- Do more to assist students with funding
- Add R30 million more to the Wits Hardship Fund
- Register all students who owe R150 000 and below
- Register all 6 000 students on the SRC’s list
- Cover the shortfall created by the R45 000 NSFAS annual cap on accommodation
- Secure 150 more emergency beds for students sleeping in libraries
- Lift the R10 000 upfront payment to access Wits residences
- Make other concessions to help students
- Stop suspending students who protest against fees exclusions.
At the end of the day’s clashes, students knelt to the ground in a form of surrender singing struggle songs.
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