[WATCH] WSU campuses closed until further notice amid student protests
All campuses of the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape have been closed until further notice.
This comes amid ongoing student protests which left four police officers injured, one hospitalised and a police Nyala destroyed.
All students living in residences on campuses were instructed to leave by 4pm on Monday.
Vice-chancellor for WSU Professor Rushiella Songca says they have been engaging with student leadership over the last few weeks.
She says they have managed to resolve most of the students’ grievances with others getting urgent attention.
Despite these efforts, Songca says students and political formations have continued to destroy university property at their campus in Mthatha.
This has put the lives of WSU staff and students in danger.
Meanwhile, national police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo says the two police officers attached to the POPS unit in Qonce (formerly King Williams Town) managed to jump to safety moments before a Nyala was set alight and burst into flames.
He says police will mobilise critical resources and expertise to gather intelligence and evidence to find those responsible for undermining the authority of the State.
A case of malicious damage to property and assault is being investigated.
Scenes from Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, where a police vehicle was torched following student protests against austerity measures, which have led to thousands of students being financially excluded. Students are calling for free education and the waiving of debt. pic.twitter.com/If9nBruSPV
— redfish (@redfishstream) April 20, 2021
