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Student protest: Latest updates (VIDEO)

JOBURG - The latest information from the Student protest the Union Buildings.

October 23, 2015
3 minutes read
Scenes from the march at 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

 

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:

https://twitter.com/AnnieMalan/status/657556820907659264

 

 

 

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.

https://twitter.com/MluuVincee/status/657548183892008960

https://twitter.com/LivMolteno/status/657548074412285952

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.

IMG_3824 IMG_3825 IMG_3826

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 trying to get through the gates of the Union Buildings.
Students trying to get through the gates of the Union Buildings.

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.”

IMG_3810 IMG_3811

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:

 

https://twitter.com/JaguarPF/status/657494225706205184

 

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

 

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”

October 23, 2015
3 minutes read

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