Pardon plea for students

The National Youth Development Agency is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to grant amnesty to all Fees Must Fall student activists.

The agency’s chairperson, Sifiso Mtsweni, said: “We view the continued court proceedings, as well as the conviction of student activists, as an antithesis to the struggle for a just and free education system, which has been achieved.

“We do, however, condemn elements of violence and vandalism which we believe must be addressed. However, as a start, we call for the release of all arrested students and the expunging of their criminal records.”

Mtsweni said yesterday he had written to the president to officially request he consider the long-term effect of the charges on students and grant presidential pardons to all activists. – ANA

Picture: EPA-EFE Chinese actress Bai Ling at The Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, China, yesterday. Bai Ling is in Hong Kong to promote ICOiN Studios at World Blockchain Marvels, a cryptocurrency conference to be held in the city today.