Teargas and rubber bullets fired at Rhodes, NMMU

This was the first violent flare up since the Grahamstown University reopened earlier this month in the wake of the FeelsMustFall protests.

Mako Muzenda, of the Rhodes Online newspaper Activate, says police first fired rubber bullets and tear gas at a gathering of students at around 9.00pm.

"Police came onto campus and initially opened fire on a group of students who were by the library. In that area, four students were arrested," she said.

Mako says there were unconfirmed reports of more students being arrested in clashes with police that went on into the early hours of this morning.

"We did receive reports at around 3.00am and that is confirmed. So far, we are not sure what the programme is for the rest of the day," she said.

At the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth, the entrances to the North and South Campuses have been closed this morning after police had to fire teargas and rubber bullets to disperse protesting students.

The university is still hoping to resume its academic programme at these two campuses today, but has advised students and staff to remain off-campus for now. 

Spokesperson Debbie Derry says the Missionvale and 2nd Avenue Summerstrand campuses are open.