‘We’ll braai the zebra’ threat

STUDENTS from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University have posted a number of threats on social media that they will “braai and eat” the zebras which graze nearby on the university’s nature reserve, if management does not meet their demands.

Yesterday’s threat follows the university announcing that operations would resume yesterday, and classes on Monday.

Students were angry that they were not informed prior to management making a decision to reopen campuses. Armed with rocks and sticks, they protested at the university’s North Campus entrance yesterday.

In a voice note circulated on social media, a student from the # FeesMustFall movement said management was “taking advantage of student discipline”.

“We have been disciplined, we have been listening and we have not done anything to their property as yet,” the student said.

“This is quite arrogant, showing us they can run operations as they feel, we don’t have a say.”

The recording goes on: “I think it’s time to go take those zebras, capture those zebras. Every day we take one zebra and we will tell management if you don’t do what we are telling you, we will deal with these zebras accordingly.”

A number of other posts show students intent on braaiing the zebras. University spokesperson Zandile Mbabela said it was probably a “tongue in cheek joke”.

“The zebra herd on our reserve have a number of babies right now, so are particularly protective. Anyone who tries to approach them will be putting themselves in danger.” – ANA