Anke Spies and Enzokuhle Sabela
A recent student protest at Stellenbosch University (SU) escalated when the South African Police Service (SAPS) threw stun grenades at protesting students.
Police throw stun grenades to disperse a crowd of student demonstrators on Victoria Street at Stellenbosch University. PHOTO: Anke Spies
The protest held on 20 February in front of the Admin B-block on Victoria Street, formed part of an academic shutdown planned by the SU Student Representative Council (SRC). This was in response to the student debt, accommodation, and registration blocks addressed in a mass meeting on the Rooiplein on 19 February.
Earlier, protestors reportedly moved from faculty to faculty in an attempt to enforce the shutdown. The protest also included disruptions at the Neelsie student centre, and a staged sit-in in front of the Admin B building. SMF News was present during these events.
SAPS arrived at the sit-in at around 16:00, blocking off both sides of Victoria Street.
Stellenbosch University students demonstrating outside of the Admin B building, facing off with members of the South African Police Service. PHOTO: Anke Spies
Leslie van Rooi, the acting senior director of student affairs, informed the SRC that the students would have to move onto university grounds as they were occupying a public road.
The SRC said the students would remain sitting, but warned students not to engage with the police.
However, a confrontation ensued when members of the SAPS approached the students.
Stun grenades were then thrown into the crowd.
Professor Thuli Madonsela, the SU law faculty trust chair in social justice and law professor, arrived after the sit-in turned violent. She was due to talk at the annual social justice lecture to be held at the Adam Small Theatre Complex on campus that afternoon.
“I’m just here to mediate,” said Madonsela when addressing the students.
Professor Thuli Madonsela, the Stellenbosch University law faculty trust chair in social justice and law professor, addressing students after a confrontation with members of the South African Police Service. PHOTO: Anke Spies
She instructed the SRC to write statements on what happened and submit them to the office of the current public protector.
During her interaction with the students, Madonsela confirmed the students’ constitutional right to protest peacefully and stated that the police may not take any action that escalates the situation or harms the students.
Students then proceeded to the Adam Small Theatre Complex, where the social justice lecture was scheduled to be held. Singing and demonstrations continued under police watch.
Leaders of the protest then addressed the students outside the lecture venue. The students vowed to stay seated outside until the end of the event.
By the time of writing, SMF News has not received feedback from Stellenbosch SAPS or Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch University students during a sit-in at the Adam Small Theatre Complex, where a social justice lecture was scheduled to be held. PHOTO: Enzokuhle Sabela
This is a developing story.