UPDATE – 13 workers from UJ arrested
AUCKLAND PARK – Workers from UJ have been arrested after vandalising university property and causing disruptions at the Kingsway campus throughout the week.
Thirteen cleaning staff members from the University of Johannesburg have been arrested on 6 November for trespassing and disobeying a court order that was obtained by Elite Cleaning Services that ordered workers to maintain a distance of 250 metres away from the gates of the university. Mpho Letlape, the deputy Vice Chancellor of strategic services at UJ, said that after the workers burned down two change rooms and lift, the university was left with no choice but to have police arrest them.
You police, we are fighting for your children but you are SHOOTING us: Protester #UJprotests #SABCnews pic.twitter.com/NBY22FadmY
— MaageketlaMohlabe (@MaageMohlabe) November 6, 2015
Protesters now getting arrested #UJprotests #SABCnews pic.twitter.com/e1c3yLxKKn
— MaageketlaMohlabe (@MaageMohlabe) November 6, 2015
A lecturer among those loaded in the van. About 5 vans fully occupied with protesters already #UJprotests #SABCnews pic.twitter.com/rcbo2Pa3ay
— MaageketlaMohlabe (@MaageMohlabe) November 6, 2015
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“We have 45 000 students whose interest we must protect over the examination period. A lot of our students are on financial aid and cannot afford to miss out on the opportunity to write their exams,” Letlape said.
She added that tyres had been burned near a student residence setting the smoke alarm to go off. She added that UJ’s security guards would be tasked with ensuring the safety of non-protesting students, staff and visitors and where extra measures were needed, the South African Police Services would provide assistance.
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Gauteng police spokesman Captain Tshekiso Mofokeng confirmed that the 13 workers were being held at the Brixton Police Station and that they would be charged soon. “We will assist the university in maintaining peace and order until all protests at the university have subsided,” Capt Mofokeng said.
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Protesters being arrested #UJ #OccupyUJ @eNCA pic.twitter.com/cb6PDOdpyM
— Lenyaro Sello (@lenyarosello) November 6, 2015
Remain informed – refer to https://t.co/jNoYXmkee9 UJ'S has agreed to insourcing. It will happen & a time frame has been set @mediauj
— University of Johannesburg (@go2uj) November 6, 2015
#OccupyUJ: Clashes erupt during outsourcing protest on South African campus https://t.co/y6q0MPndfq pic.twitter.com/OKy3QdwWSc
— The Stream (@AJStream) November 5, 2015
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GALLERY: UJ exams set to continue despite protest
