UJ student arrested after protest

A student from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been arrested after a protest broke out on the Kingsway campus.

In a statement released by the university, it said that teaching, learning and research were in full swing across all its campuses despite a noisy ‘minor protest’ by no more than 25 students on 9 May.

The statement indicated that the arrested student was charged with damaging and destroying property, and engaging in violent behaviour.

Brixton Police Station spokesperson Jeanette Backhoff confirmed that one suspect was arrested after the protest at UJ and that they have been charged with malicious damage to property.

“The investigating officer is investigating the case after the student protest, where 12 students have been put on suspension by the university and are awaiting the outcome of the case against them,” she said.

The statement released by the university pointed out that the three students at the heart of the current protests were suspended a week ago and had pending disciplinary hearings against them. “It also appears that these students have not attended classes this year, preferring instead to engage full-time in destructive and disruptive activities. Disciplinary hearings for all the other suspended students are also being scheduled,” the statement read.

It was previously reported that a burning barricade was left on the corner of Bunting and Kingsway roads, with residents tweeting that it was due to a student protest. Police were unable to confirm if the incident was related to the protest.

Burning barricade obstructs traffic

Backhoff said that police could not confirm at this stage if the two incidents were related as the investigation was ongoing.

Details: Brixton Police Station, 011-248 5520