There are reports of a demonstration on Empire Road in Braamfontein and people are burning tyres on the road in protest, heavy traffic delays in the area. Students are protesting over accommodation issues and the Dean of Students will soon collect the memorandum from protesters.
According to reports, there have been issues with hijacked buildings in the area. Students are being urged to used alternative entrances. More on the story as details become available.
Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel explained that the protest was over a new residence called Yale Village in Braamfontein. She explained that a number of students had been moved there for safety reasons and while the old residence was safe the University couldn’t guarantee the students safety at that residence and as a result moved them to Yale Village.
Patel added that students were unhappy with the new accommodation and that the University was trying to engage with the City to get hijacked buildings in the city and use them for accommodation as it was expensive to erect new buildings.
Patel confirmed that the protest would not affect the academic program and classes would continue as normal.
Metro police spokesperson, Wayne Minnaar said, “There is a protest taking place now. Students are complaining about not having water and electricity. They are protesting at the Yale Road entrance and it is not affecting traffic. Metro police officers are close by monitoring the situation.”
Listen to interview with Phenyo Tshwantsho, Yale Village Treasurer.
In Braamfontein there is protest action on Empire Road at the Wits entrance causing heavy delays.
— Nkanyiso Zondi (@Nka_Brown) April 20, 2017
Read Enough is enough – protesters say Zuma must go
Wits is lit???????????? pic.twitter.com/5D9uVJH6T8
— Dinika Naidoo (@Dinika25) April 20, 2017
Demonstration happening at Empire Rd entrance to Wits, tyres being burnt pic.twitter.com/6lF6M8tGvc
— Aaisha Dadi Patel (@aaishadadipatel) April 20, 2017
