UPDATE: Protesting students set alight lecture hall at Wits

UPDATE: 4 April 2016, 13:30pm – A lecture hall at the university was set alight by the protestors with students in the lecture hall. The fire was then put out.

Lecture Hall U11 on East Campus was set alight with students in it by #FeesMustFall protestors. Fire is out🔥 #Wits pic.twitter.com/17e7RkHOzX

— Michael Cost (@michael_cost_) April 4, 2016

After experiencing protest action at its Braamfontein campus this morning, Wits University has allegedly had to stop some lectures. According to Mashudu Lucky Khumela, crime prevention and liaison officer of Wits, it is unclear why the protests commenced, however, he advised that an investigation into the cause is underway.

The university later confirmed that some lectures were disrupted this morning by a group of about 100 individuals, not all of whom are Wits staff or students.

During the protest, individuals called for free education, and fire extinguishers were opened and sprayed.

According to a media statement issued by the university, the Wits SRC is not involved in the protest. The statement read that the university’s management condemned this behaviour, which is a direct violation of the court order obtained by the university.
Members of campus control have been deployed to stabilise the situation.

The university has summoned extra security and alerted police who will remain on standby. There have been no reports of injuries as yet.

UPDATE: 4 April 2016, 12pm –  According to our journalist at the scene, the students are protesting for free education.

The protestors have damaged property and are not being led by the SRC. It is also alleged that not all of the protestors are students and some are members of the public who have joined the protesting students.

They  moved from West campus towards the Jorissen entrance.

Watch the footage from the protests below:

INITIAL REPORT: 4 April 2016, 11am – Acording to twitter, the Fees office and the Matrix has been closed following protest action at Wits earlier this morning.

Security officials have been deployed to stabilise the situation.

According to Mashudu Lucky Khumela, crime prevention and liaison officer at Wits, “I can confirm that a protest has begun at the Braamfontein campus. It is unclear at this stage, why the students are protesting. We are currently investigating the cause of the protests. ”

Updates to follow.

Protest: Fees Office and Matrix have been temporarily closed. Campus Control officers have been deployed to stabilise situation.

— Wits_News (@Wits_News) April 4, 2016

Protest: Wits Management condemns the violation of a court order by group of people disrupting @WitsUniversity activities.

— Wits_News (@Wits_News) April 4, 2016

Classes have been disrupted on Braamfontein campus. Security has been deployed. Report incidents to Campus Control 0117174444 | 0117176666.

— Wits_News (@Wits_News) April 4, 2016