SA police to maintain presence at universities amid violent protests

Police will maintain their presence at universities as long as violent student protests continued, Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane said on Friday.

"We reiterate that it is the violence and criminal acts being committed on those campuses that have invited the presence of the SAPS (South African Police Service)," Phahlane said at a press briefing in Cape Town after a three-day National Management Forum which was convened to discuss the current student protests over fee increases.

The nationwide protests, which erupted late last month after universities were given the go-ahead by the government to raise fees not exceeding eight percent, have been marred by violence, prompted the deployment of police forces at various campuses.

The SAPS has been bombarded with calls to withdraw police officials from university campuses, Phahlane said.

Police will continue to prevent acts of violence to ensure a climate conducive to studies and examinations, he said.

"It is not the intention of the SAPS to securitize the institutions of higher learning or to take operational control over such institutions. The SAPS will not be apologetic in the execution of the mandate provided for in the Constitution of our country," Phahlane said.

It is a pity that some police officials have been targeted via e-mails, social media and other means, because they represent security and order, he said.

"This form of intimidation will never succeed," Phahlane said.

Phahlane also briefed the media over a number of incidents of arson over the past week. The arson was committed at Wits University in Johannesburg and the Rhodes University in the Western Cape, causing destruction of property and damage to vehicles, including a police vehicle on routine patrol.

Last Friday night, three men accused of burglary at the Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape were stoned and beaten with sticks, allegedly by students. One man died on the scene, one died in hospital and one is still in critical condition, according to Phahlane.

"This incident highlights that the calls for tolerance and a lack of brutality must be upheld and respected by all role players," he said.

The SAPS remains operationally ready to police all planned protest actions to ensure that they remain peaceful and that the democratic rights of others are not trampled upon in the process, Phahlane said. Endit