Academics march to support protesters

UNIVERSITY academics will take to the streets to support students in their quest for free education.

Following meetings between students, academics, parents and unionists, lecturers from Wits University and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have decided to offer students their support.

Senior lecturer at Wits University, Prishani Naidoo, said: “Academics from Wits and UJ will be calling on all academics [from across the country] to join students in the streets to support the cause so that it becomes an academic lead action” she said.

Gauteng police spokesman Lungelo Dlamini said police officers would continue to be deployed until the situation at campuses stabilised.

He said a case under the Explosives Act was being investigated after three bottles of petrol bombs were found on Wits’ Braamfontein Campus. All academic activities have since been suspended at Wits.

Yesterday, the University of Cape Town’s Vice-Chancellor Max Price confirmed classes would be suspended for another week amid security concerns. He said there would be no graduation ceremonies this year as a result.

Meanwhile, national police spokesman Vuyisile Ngesi said 11 students from UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus were arrested last week on charges of public violence and malicious damage to property.

A group of students are trying to raise donations to assist with bail and food for the 11 students.