SAPS counting the costs of #FeesMustFall
The South African Police Service has paid its officers over R3million for overtime work at universities in Gauteng, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety has confirmed.
Officers have been deployed at campuses since the start of the Fees Must Fall campaign.
At least 1368 officers were deployed at Wits University.
Gauteng Department of Community Safety spokesperson Thapelo Moiloa defended the amount spent.
"Damage at universities prior to this deployment cannot be equated to the money paid to police officers for overtime work. The situation could have been a lot worse if these officers were not deployed to contain the situation," he says.
Nearly R68 000 was spent on meals for the officers.
Students are demanding free higher education.
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Fees Must Fall protests have seen scores of students arrested, including former Wits SRC president Mcebo Dlamini.
Dlamini has been denied bail.
He was arrested on five charges, including assault, theft and malicious damage to property.
Dlamini will remain behind bars until his trial begins on November 15.