11/2/2009-Violence erupted at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria when police opened fire on innocent student protesters.
Police brutality on students is nothing new. This student was shot four times at point blank with rubber bullets during the 2008 student protests.The camera used for this pic was smuggled into the police holding cells where he was held and denied immediate medical assistance. Pic: Mooketsi Nthite
The protests were triggered by an ongoing feud between management and workers of the university, who were demanding a salary increase. Classes were eventually called of by staff in January, inevitably forcing students to join the strike.The violence was an outburst of weeks of underlying tension.
This picture was taken inside an overloaded police van, more than 10 people were packed into a space ment for less than 6 people. The windows were closed shut & severe persperation set in as the heat became unbearable. This student's cuffs, which were intentionally made tight, were taken of more than two hours later at the police holding cells. Pic: Mooketsi Nthite
As a mob in the crowd pelted police with stones, they retaliated by indiscriminately firing rubber bullets into the crowd; injuring dozens of students, including an unarmed disabled protester (Bob Makgae,see video below) and a Pretoria News journalist(Mogomotsi Magome).
The protests were triggered by an ongoing feud between management and workers of the university, who were demanding a salary increase. Classes were eventually called of by staff in January, inevitably forcing students to join the strike.The violence was an outburst of weeks of underlying tension.Verbal assault
"The Minister of Education is a political snob!"
Exclaimed ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, his student prodigies in the crowd approved of this fiery statement with loud whistles.
Students and workers that day had congregated at the university's sports grounds to he
ar the highly controversial Malema and National Secretary of the Young Communist League, Buti Manamela speak.
ar the highly controversial Malema and National Secretary of the Young Communist League, Buti Manamela speak. Outspoken Malema told journalists before the shooting that students should be able to express their anger at management but it should be within the confines of the law.
"She must use her fake American accent to address our problems," snarled Malema, voicing his views about the Education Minister.
He carried on his verbal assault on other prominent politicians including the Deputy President.
A rebellious few in the crowd could be clearly heard telling Malema to voetsek (p*ss of).
This picture was taken inside an overloaded police van, more than 10 people were packed into a space ment for less than 6 people. The windows were closed shut & severe persperation set in as the heat became unbearable. This student's cuffs, which were intentionally made tight, were taken of more than two hours later at the police holding cells. Pic: Mooketsi Nthite
Legal action
The shooting of Magome is under investigation and the South African National Editors Forum slammed the incident calling it a "shocking" act by police.
Gauteng Security MEC Firoz Cachalia ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting of Makgae, the disabled student.
A settlement between management and staff was reached a few weeks later and classes resumed as normal.
Photos courtesy of : Etienne Creux (Pretoria News), Written by: Mooketsi Nthite
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