SA Artists React To Wits University Student’s Protest #witsprotest
SA Artists React To Wits University Student’s Protest #witsprotest. Different South African musicians weighed in on the Wits student protest that took place yesterday 10 March, which cost the life of a man and injuries to students. The 35-year-old man who lost his life was coming out of a clinic when he was shot with rubber bullets by police officers who were firing at a group of protesting students.
The #witsprotest was trending on social media following the students protesting against historical debt and the subsequent inability to register for the university year. Social media users including SA artists also reacted to the protest. Prince Kaybee is one of the musicians who had something to say regarding the alleged police brutality against protesting students. “It’s unfortunate that the apartheid culture of “protect white and punish black at all costs” still thrives in 2021 SAPS, it’s the very same black officers who know our pain & struggles leading the assault and killing our people for demanding their dignity,” captioned Kaybee with images.
Black Coffee also reacted to the issue of fees with a tweet that reads: “As a country what can we do to assist students with fees…isn’t there a way we can collectively create a fund to assist. #FeesMustFall.”
One Wits student Bongani Makhanya, who was close to the scene at the time, said the police had opened fire at students “without warning”. “They didn’t ask any questions, they just started opening fire and shooting at everyone who was in the area,” he alleged. “When they did that, people dispersed and they still continued to shoot … a person was shot. They ended up arresting anyone who looked like a student. We faced a lot of violence, even us who were bystanders watching,” he said.
Speaking on the death of a by-passer, Langa Mvuso wrote: “A CIVILIAN WAS SHOT DEAD IN BRAAMFONTIEN BY THE SAPS #witsprotest.”
According to Wits, two students were injured and three were detained and taken to Hillbrow police station. The students however, have vowed to continue the protest and have called on other students nationwide to join in the struggle.
