Student protest: Latest updates (VIDEO)
JOBURG - The latest information from the Student protest the Union Buildings.
UPDATE: 6pm – Following the announcement made by Jacob Zuma, the situation at the Union Buildings remained volatile.
There have been reports of students who remained and waited for Jacob Zuma to address them. The students then grew extremely agitated and began to protest violently at the Union Buildings by vandilising an official police vehicle and burning tyres and starting other fires in and around the Union Buildings.
Police then retaliated by firing rubber bullets into the crowd and with the use of stun grenades. According to reports, majority of the students began to disperse following that series of events.
A helicopter hovered above the hot spots to ensure that the peace was kept. According to reports, streets around the Union Buildings are on lock down by protesters who are barricading the streets. (Scroll down to view tweets about the current incidents.)
It has been reported that the protesting may continue into the night.
https://twitter.com/JoevanHeerden/status/657597080526049280
https://twitter.com/AzaniaDitira/status/657595254212861952
https://twitter.com/lekgowa14/status/657588353479659520
#FeesMustFall PHOTO: Students help clear street barricades from earlier clashes… pic.twitter.com/ilYYvI7427
— Alex Eliseev (@alexeliseev) October 23, 2015
#FeesMustFall #Pretoria Firefighters extinguishing a vehicle that was set alight . ZN pic.twitter.com/HbrrtdsRqi
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 23, 2015
#FeesMustFall Protesters occupying the intersection of Francis Baard and Wessels Street heavily blocking traffic pic.twitter.com/ZlWuFvp8hi
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) October 23, 2015
UPDATE: 4pm – Students have begun to leave the Union Buildings following Jacob Zuma’s statement that there will be a 0% fee increase for universities in 2016.
There a small groups of people, including members of the media and police officers at the Union Buildings.
View some of the students reactions on twitter on Zuma’s statement below:
Zuma did nothing for us, we the students are the ones who fought for this!!! Thank us not him!!!#unionbuilding
— Exec. Management (@MensResRaider) October 23, 2015
True leadership should be exercised throughly by government. When u address the students, they will definitely work with u. #unionbuilding
— Melanie Madigage (@MelanieMadigage) October 23, 2015
To all the students at the #unionbuilding please be safe. SAPS no longer look after us, our government no longer cares for us #FeesMustFall
— Michael Cost (@michael_cost_) October 23, 2015
"@SuvaniaS: Feel orphaned by our supposed leadership. My country has failed its youth, again. It did not need to get to this #unionbuilding"
— CATHERINE CONSTANTINIDES (@ChangeAgentSA) October 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/AnnieMalan/status/657556820907659264
Zuma's refusal to address the students directly has led to the atrocious and heart-breaking scenes of police brutality at #unionbuilding
— Simeon Gready (@sktgready) October 23, 2015
Small victory, but this presidency cannot walk away from the consequences of its poor governance #unionbuilding pic.twitter.com/JBjrcDtB7u
— Nick Corbett (@nickccorbett) October 23, 2015
UPDATE: 3pm – President Jacob Zuma is now reading out a statement on University Fees at the Union Buildings.
He stated that there will be a o% fee increase for 2016.
Government and Universities agreed on 0% increase as for 2016. #FeesMustFall#UnionBuilding
— Atlantic Warrior 🇿🇦 (@Kgane_) October 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/MluuVincee/status/657548183892008960
https://twitter.com/LivMolteno/status/657548074412285952
President Jacob Zuma is now reading out a statement on University Fees at the #UnionBuilding
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) October 23, 2015
Confirmed: President Zuma says there will be a 0% fee increment in tertiary institutions across the country #FeesMustFall #UnionBuilding
— Tebogo Ditshego (@TebogoDitshego) October 23, 2015
UPDATE: 2pm – The march at the Union Buildings has turned violent with the students pelting police officers with rocks and stones.
Police officers have barricaded the Union Buildings, using barbed wire, however, the students have began to remove the wire.
Watch the dramatic live coverage below:
UPDATE: 1pm – Students have now begun to start fires at the protest. They are believed to have burned tyres and set alight a portable toilet.
According to reports, stun grenades are being used against the crowd.
UPDATE: 12:45pm – Student leaders have handed over their memorandum over to the president, Jacob Zuma and other presidential officials.
Some of the students are still trying to break through the gates, while some students are getting agitated and throwing objects at the stage.
The president is due to adress the students in a few moments.
UPDATE: 12:30pm –
Students are attempting to break through the gates at the Union Buildings. Police officials remain on the other side of the gates at the Union Buildings.
UPDATE: 12pm – As the students continue to march to the Union Buildings, some of them wear masks to protect against mustard gas.
Terrabce Khumede from TUT, said, “The students will take any force that the police throw at them because the Fees Must Fall.”
According to our journalists at the march, thousands of students have descended upon the Union Buildings, and more students are still expected to arrive.
Members of the ANC and the EFF are also at the march.
UPDATE: 11:30am –View some tweets from the march to the Union Buildings below:
Live report from the Union Buildings. #FeesMustFall #UPrising pic.twitter.com/TRdCf7Ng5e
— Pretoria Rekord (@RekordNewspaper) October 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/JaguarPF/status/657494225706205184
At #unionbuilding waiting for Jacob Zuma to address us. #FeesMustFall
— Mingo (@ItsFlame) October 23, 2015
https://twitter.com/Dreezy301/status/657488907244818432https://twitter.com/TFMReporter/status/657488897467879424https://twitter.com/OkKoolPam/status/657488895848919040https://twitter.com/Eemzovic/status/657488819432923136https://twitter.com/SAgovnews/status/657488783806435328https://twitter.com/Mediummeal/status/657488696191680512
https://twitter.com/TFMReporter/status/657488897467879424
Am doing this for my kids n my kids kids… #unionbuilding.
— Ntw'enhle (@PamellaMtho) October 23, 2015
I'm appalled at the massive presence of HEAVILY ARMED POLICE…are they going to a war? #unionbuilding
— His Excellency (@eemz_em) October 23, 2015
Some of student leaders attending the meeting #UniversityFees #unionbuilding pic.twitter.com/mrWhvMCn20
— @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 23, 2015
As our young lions stand tall without fear in front of their struggle.#FeesMustFall #unionbuilding pic.twitter.com/wfj5HQLYTU
— Tshepe Tshepe (@Mediummeal) October 23, 2015
UPDATE: 11am – It is reported that thousands of students have embarked on their march to the Union Buildings.
Watch a video from one of the protesters below:
Students from Wits University and University of Joburg have left and are on their way to the Union Buildings. They are expected to arrive within the hour.
Students that are already at the buildings are awaiting the arrival of Jacob Zuma.
INITIAL REPORT: Students and the rest of the country is gearing up for the massive march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria today, where students will meet with South African president, Jacob Zuma, to discuss the issues of University fees in South Africa.
It is believed that students are still at Wits University currently awaiting JMPD to escourt the convoy to the Union Buildings.
We will keep you updated with the latest information on the march.
https://twitter.com/_mo2c_/status/657481072956059648
https://twitter.com/Fable_chubb/status/657480216630185984
https://twitter.com/_mo2c_/status/657477773930426368
Click on the headline to read the articles below:
WATCH: Reactions from protesting students at Wits
Wits, UJ students join forces against proposed fees increase
UPDATE: Wits protest turns violent
Wits protest latest: University closed due to protest
VIDEO: Wits students win fight against demolition of residence
UPDATE: Watch protests at Wits University
Wits students face possible “eviction”
