Wits eases curfew, plans to get classes going again

THE controversial curfew that was one of the strict security measures put in place at Wits University last week has been relaxed.

In a statement released yesterday afternoon, the university’s senior executive team (SET) said students would now be required to remain in their residences or study areas between midnight and 5am. Previously it was 10pm to 6am.

The university has also opened learning centres and labs, as well as 24-hour reading rooms for students to study in.

The security measures were slammed by protesters and sparked the riots that spilled on to the streets of Braamfontein.

The university has reiterated its commitment to continuing with the academic programme and it has set up an extensive security plan to ensure that exams continue.

Classes will resume on Monday.

But protest action continued yesterday, with several lectures and two tests being disrupted. Four students were arrested at the university’s Parktown campus for contravening a court order.

A group of about 200 spent most of yesterday afternoon outside the Hillbrow police station as the student’s legal team attempted to secure their release.

According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Sally de Beer, the four students would spend the weekend in custody and are expected to appear in court on Monday morning.

Former SRC president and student leader Shaeera Kalla is said to be recovering in the Milpark Hospital after being shot more than 10 times with rubber bullets. This is according to Shafee Verachia, also a former Wits SRC president and friend of Kallas.

“She has to sleep on her stomach because some of the injuries make it difficult for her to sleep on her back. She was shot at such close range that some of the rubber bullets penetrated her skin.”

Verachia said Kalla has welcomed the Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigation that is said to be under way into police brutality during the protests.

In Cape Town, UCT announced that exams would begin on November 7, and an exam timetable would be made available to students shortly.

Medical students stare down a line of security officers at the Wits University medical school yesterday. Protests calling for free education have erupted into violent clashes on university campuses across the country.