Police's approach to student protests needs to be addressed: SA rights body

Allegations and scenes of police heavy-handedness in dealing with student protests need to be addressed as a matter of urgency, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said on Friday.

The SAHRC issued the statement amid growing concern over alleged police brutality in supressing the student protests over fee increases that have been gripping a number of universities across the country for the past few weeks.

The South African Constitution promotes a vision of a human rights compliant policing, and the Commission calls on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to remain cognisant of this vision in exercising their duties with respect to the current protest action across campuses, said SAHRC spokesperson Gushwell Brooks.

The SAHRC said however that the right to protest should not be exercised with disregard for other rights, such the right to dignity, the right to life, the right to property and the right to security of the person within the framework of the respect for the rule of law.

"The Commission therefore urges the universities and student bodies to restore calm," Brooks said.

"The Commission condemns protest related action which is destructive and which impacts adversely on others inside and outside universities," he added.

On Monday, the SAPS pledged to exercise restraint in dealing with student protests while attempting to maintain stability and safety in the country.

Acting National Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane dismissed press reports that police used excessive force to disperse protesting students.

He said police had to take action in order to restore stability and protect themselves and others when coming under attack by students.

A new wave of student protests flared up late last month after Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande announced that universities can raise fees, provided that it does not exceed eight percent. Enditem