Police arrest 16 Westcol students over latest unrest
Randfontein Police confirmed that 11 young women and five young men were arrested at Westcol after they pelted police vehicles and the campus with stones.
Sixteen Westcol students were arrested for recent public violence and disruptive activities at the Randfontein Campus in Helikonpark.
Randfontein Police said on Tuesday, 14 August, the students started campaigning because they were dissatisfied with Westcol Campus’ inability to accommodate more students for the semester.
“The protesting youths started throwing stones at police vehicles and at the Westcol building and police officers had to disperse the group forcefully,” said Captain Appel Ernst, Randfontein Police spokesperson.
Ernst added that before the arrests took place, about 150 young people gathered at the campus where they burned tyres in the road and barricaded the entrance into the campus.
“Police dispersed the group and arrested 11 young women and five young men,” Ernst said.
After arresting the protesters, Ernst said a small group of approximately 25 youngsters gathered at the Randfontein Police Station to demand their release.
“The suspects appeared in the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court on 15 August,” Ernst added.
READ ADDITIONAL ARTICLE HERE: Westcol students on strike
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