Cape Town - UWC students marched back to campus to meet and decide on a plan of action after 25 students were denied bail in the Bellville Magistrate's Court on Friday.
In all, 35 students were arrested during violent protests on campus this week. But only 25 were charged with public violence. One of the students was also charged with contravention of the explosives act. They will be held in Pollsmoor Prison until they next appear in court n a week’s time (October 28).
A group of students gathered outside the court calling for the release of those arrested. Concerned parents were shocked to learn that their children would be sent to prison.
The state conceded that it needs seven days for more information and asked for remand of the case for next Friday to make a decision on whether students qualify for bail.
The university campus was on lockdown on Thursday and all class-based lectures have been suspended for the rest of the year.
UWC students submitted a detailed memorandum of demands last week. Their demands include free, quality, black-centred education, and no talks of feasibility or increments. They want all student debts to be cleared, and the scrapping of registration and application fees
Weekend Argus