POLITICS

Violent attacks on our children must stop – ANCWL

Women's League says they find the use of rubber bullets and teargas on unarmed students appalling

The ANCWL condemns the brutality by the police on protesting students

21 October 2016

The African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) condemns the police brutality on Fees Must Fall protesters in Universities across the country. The ANCWL has been reliably informed of the shooting of the former University of the Witwatersrand SRC leader Shaeera Kalla who was allegedly shot by the police about nine times with rubber bullets. 

We are worrisome that several other students were treated at campus health and wellness centre and one with a dislocated leg. Another student leader Busisiwe Seabe also fainted at the clinic.  She was seemingly short of breath from the violent incidents of the day. As the ANCWL we find the use of rubber bullets and teargas on an unarmed group of students appalling. We believe the role of the law enforcement officers is restoring order in Universities, however violent attacks on our children must stop. 

The ANCWL respects the rights of students to peacefully protest for their demands. However, violence and destruction of university property by the students cannot be justified. We call on students to refrain from destroying university property and books whilst protesting that alone undermines their plight. State funds would have to be prioritized for rebuilding university facilities as opposed to assisting poor students.

As the ANCWL we calls on all stakeholders students, Government and academic institutions to work together to speedily find solutions and resolve the issues. Fees Must Fall is a just cause and we cannot afford to lose our children in such a manner. We call on parents to stand up for the future of their children and be actively involved in discussions for solutions.

Issued by Meokgo Matuba, ANCWL Secretary-General, 21 October 2016