Black students burn 18 vehicles on Pretoria campus

Protesting students of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), formerly the Pretoria Technikon, have set alight at least 18 cars belonging to the institution, police said on Saturday.

Several campuses shutdown as Tshwane University of Technology clamps down on violence Several campuses shutdown as Tshwane University of Technology clamps down on violence

TUT students Photo: SABC
TUT students Photo: SABC

“Cases of malicious damage to property and public violence have been opened,” spokeswoman Lt-Col Khensani Magoai said.

The cars were set alight at TUT’s Soshanguve campus on Friday night, as students continued with the protest action which has been on going for almost two weeks. Magoai said there were no injuries and no one had been arrested. She said police were monitoring the situation.

The protests have seen the closure of the institution on a number of occasions and the suspension of the Student Representative Council (SRC).The suspension was lifted on Wednesday, following talks between the two parties.

On September 17, it was agreed that the strike would be suspended and lectures would resume. Students were protesting against the lack of funds in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

TUT spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter was not immediately available for comment. She said the institution would release a statement. The SRC were not immediately available to comment.

Stabbing during student elections in South Africa

knife_murderThree students were stabbed on the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Polokwane campus this week, the institution said on Wednesday.

The attack on Tuesday was sparked by an argument related to student leadership elections held on campus, TUT spokeswoman Willa de Ruyter said in a statement.

The injured students received treatment at a local hospital and were discharged.

“The alleged perpetrator, who was assaulted by bystanders, has been apprehended and is currently under police guard in hospital. The [police have] already launched an investigation into the matter,” De Ruyter said.

The university instituted an internal investigation. De Ruyter said the institution was weapon-free and had security measures in place to ensure the safety of staff and students. – Sapa