South African police fired tear gas and rubber bullets during running battles with hundreds of student protesters demanding free education at the University of the Witwatersand (Wits) in Johannesberg which reopened on Monday 10 October after demonstrations forced its closure last week.
South African police officers fire rubber bullets to disperse students at WitsGianluigi Guercia/AFPA South African policeman tries to apprehend a student from the University of WitwatersrandGianluigi Guercia/AFPA student tries to escape from rubber bullets fired by South African anti riot police during running battles at the University of the Witwatersrand in JohannesburgMarco Longari/AFP
Despite a heavy police presence, protesters entered auditoriums and other school facilities in an effort to shut down the campus. Armoured police vehicles took up positions in front of the Great Hall, where the demonstration was taking place. Some libraries and a large science laboratory were empty, indicating that classes were at least partly disrupted. A university spokeswoman had earlier said the university was open. In a subsequent statement, Wits said: "The majority of lectures resumed this morning but were then disrupted by large groups of protesters. We urge students and staff to return to classes this week, even if disruptions occur."
"Hell broke out," said Jo Seoka, an Anglican bishop who described the pandemonium that erupted as students hurled rocks at private security guards blocking the entrance to the Great Hall and police vehicles rumbled forward to confront them. Seoka, who joined an earlier student march, said police had "militarised" the campus, and he criticized them for not wearing IDs on their uniforms that would make them accountable. As police helicopters circled, some protesters spilled into city streets. A bus was set on fire, and thick smoke billowed into the air.
A demonstrator holds a placard during student protests demanding free education at Johannesburg's University of the WitwatersrandSiphiwe Sibeko/ReutersMasked students enter a university building to disrupt classes in a bid to shut down the campusMarco Longari/AFPMasked students disrupt classes in a bid to shut down the campusMarco Longari/AFPA South African anti riot policeman gestures after masked students entered a university buildingMarco Longari/AFPUniversity private security protect themselves from stones thrown by students from the University of the WitwatersrandGianluigi Guercia/AFPStudents from the University of Witwatersrand throw stones at private security guardsGianluigi Guercia/AFPDemonstrators run away from an armoured police vehicle during student protests at the University of the WitwatersrandSiphiwe Sibeko/ReutersA student throws back tear gas canister towards private security guards during clashes at the University of the WitwatersrandGianluigi Guercia/AFPA masked student shelters from a police water cannon during running battles with South African anti riot policeMarco Longari/AFPA Wits student falls while taking cover from rubber bullets during running clashes with South African anti riot police at the universityMarco Longari/AFPA student is detained by a South African ant riot policeman after he entered a university buildingMarco Longari/AFPA South African policeman unsuccessfully tries to apprehend a student during clashes at the University of the WitwatersrandGianluigi Guercia/AFPProtesters cheer as a rubbish burns on the streets of Braamfontein, near the university campusGianluigi Guercia/AFPA woman takes cover and protesters run as police fire rubber bullets after the FeesMustFall protest spilled onto the streets of BraamfonteinJohn Wessels/AFPA riot policeman points his weapon at protesters hiding after the FeesMustFall protest spilled onto the streets of BraamfonteinJohn Wessels/AFPStudents run for cover during clashes with South African anti riot police at the University of the WitwatersrandMarco Longari/AFPPolice disperse students after the FeesMustFall protest spilled onto the streets of BraamfonteinJohn Wessels/AFPA protester flees as police fire rubber bullets during clashes with students from the University of the WitwatersrandJohn Wessels/AFPSouth African riot policemen take cover from incoming stones inside their armoured personnel carrier while returning fire to protesting studentsMarco Longari/AFPA student covers his eyes after police fired tear gas during clashes with students from the University of the WitwatersrandJohn Wessels/AFPRiot police officers are seen in combat position during clashes with students following a protest over university tuition feesMujahid Safodien/AFPA man covers the head of an injured woman to stop the blood during clashes between students from the University of the Witwatersrand and South African police in JohannesburgJohn Wessels/AFPA student gestures near a burning bus during clashes with riot police following a protest over university tuition feesMujahid Safodien/AFP
"The protests are continuing because students' demands have not been met. There hasn't been sufficient engagement from the university," a member of the Wits Student Representative Council, Palomino Jama, told Reuters.
