VIDEO: Police appeal to students to not break the law
POLICE have issued an appeal to protesting Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) students to not damage property or break the law.
At about midday, Eastern Cape police urged protesters to refrain from illegal activity during protests.
“Police members have been deployed since 5am this morning to monitor disruptive actions and protests at Rhodes University in Grahamstown and NMMU in Port Elizabeth,” police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said.
About 150 students started burning tyres at the north and south gates of NMMU’s main campus.
“Police members are on the scene monitoring the situation and have closed Admiralty Road leading to the campus,” Mills said.
Earlier this morning police fired rubber bullets and used stun grenades after protesting NMMU students allegedly started throwing stones and blockaded the entrance to the university.
However, Herald reporters on the scene did not witness any stone-throwing or violent behaviour on the part of students.
“Its reported that three people sustained light injuries during the incident,” Mills said.
Mills added that in Grahamstown, Rhodes University students had gathered at Prince Alfred Street and blockaded Artillery Street.
“Reports have been received that students have been going from residence to residence, pounding on doors forcing students to take part in the protests,” she said. “No criminal cases have been opened by any party as yet.”
Mills added that Eastern Cape Midlands Public FET College in Grahamstown had also been participating in a student protest.
No protest action has been reported at any of the University of Fort Hare campuses or at Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, Butterworth, Whittlesea and East London.
“Public order police, tactical response teams and local police members have been deployed to monitor the situation where there are protests and placed on high alert for any eventuality,” Mills stressed.
“A call has been made on students to protest peacefully and not to endanger the lives of people or damage property. Such actions on their part will leave the the police with no choice than to enforce the law.” - Gareth Wilson
