POLICE have arrested 831 people in relation to the student protests over fees at the country’s institutions of higher learning and training. The charges included violence, intimidation and malicious damage to property.

SAPS acting National Commissioner General Kgomotso Phahlane, who briefed media in Pretoria over the weekend on policing and security matters regarding the #FeesMustFall protests, attributed the high number of arrests to the violent nature of the protests.

A number of incidents have taken place which have involved unruly behaviour, criminality, the destruction of property and public violence, among other acts.

“When the protests began they were inside the campuses, but now they have gone on a rampage outside the universities and torching cars. This is evidence that the protests have been infiltrated by criminal behaviour,” Phahlane told the media on Friday.

He said with the protests continuing to be disruptive and violent, police will not be apologetic in executing their duties.

“The violence and criminal acts being committed on campuses have invited the presence of the police. The SAPS will not be apologetic in the execution of the mandate provided for in the Constitution.”