Arson and Attempted Murder at South African Universities
The South African protests for free education have now been going on for four weeks, during which riots, petrol bombs, rubber bullets and physical violence have reigned. At least four universities across the country have closed their gates, bringing the academic year to a standstill.
Last night, at least three universities were targets of arson. The John Moffet Architecture Building at Wits University, the Malherbe Residence and the Council Chambers at University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus, and at both the Bellville campus and Cape Town campus of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
According to university spokesperson, Shirona Patel, the fire as Wits University is suspected to have been started by a Molotov cocktail. Several petrol bombs were found on campus.
Petrol bombs were also the cause of the fires on KwaZulu-Natal’s Pietermaritzburg campus.
Student protesters torched several buildings on the Bellville campus and one building at the Cape town campus last night, says spokesperson Lauren Kansley.
However, things took more serious turn when it was discovered that two campus security guards had been locked in a burning building on the Bellville campus. The university has laid charges of attempted murder, although the suspects have not yet been announced.
The two security guards are currently in a stable condition. “The guards suffered mostly smoke inhalation injuries and are now stable. Other charges laid include public violence and malicious damage to property,” said Kansley.
Kansley has confirmed that classes have been suspended and that the university is now looking at “alternative forms of tuition and assessment”.
