Management at Rhodes University (RU) on Wednesday suspended lectures after police arrested five students who were participating in an anti rape protest outside the campus.
Police said the students were arrested for blocking the road next to the university.
“The roads were blocked off using furniture, brooms, sticks and stones,” said the police adding that after warnings to disperse, the students did not do so.
Police said initially they used pepper spray in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
“Shortly thereafter another report was received that a gathering was becoming aggressive when the university’s staff attempted to clear off another street. The South Africa Police Service used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd,” said captain Mali Govender.
“Five suspects including two females aged between 18 and 23, who have been arrested face charges relating to the Gatherings Act.”
Govender said the arrested students will appear in the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court “shortly”.
Rhodes University Vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela, who unsuccessfully tried to persuade the police not to arrest students, said lectures had been suspended owing to the protests.
Students are demanding that the university take immediate action against 11 male students accused of rape. The names of the male students have been circulated on social media.
Female students, who say they will not be cowed to submission, have bared their breasts as they protest for the second day running.
Some students are still gathered outside the drama department singing protest songs and drawing up anti rape banners.
– African News Agency (ANA)
