The five students arrested by police during protests at the Rhodes University on Wednesday morning have been released by the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court.
The courtroom was packed with students on Wednesday afternoon who were there to show support for the two female and three male students that were arrested. The five were arrested under the regulations of Gatherings Act and released on a warning to appear in court again on July 20 for further investigation.
They have been warned not to take part in any unlawful protest actions until their next appearance and not to leave the Eastern Cape without notifying the Grahamstown police station.
A group of supporters gathered outside the court shortly after the arrests in the morning and students also collected money to assist those arrested with bail.
In emotional scenes on Wednesday‚ panicked students were filmed inside police vans as Rhodes University vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela appealed to police to release arrested students and lecturers tried to calm the students in the vans.
Chaos erupted on Wednesday morning when students‚ protesting over what they call a rape culture at Rhodes‚ barricaded roads and closed entrances to campus. Police reacted by arresting some of the protesters and using teargas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Wednesday was the fourth day of protests‚ under the hashtag #RUReferenceList‚ following the posting of a “reference list” containing the names of 11 students accused of rape on social media.
Rhodes students released after brief court appearance
The five students arrested by police during protests at the Rhodes University on Wednesday morning have been released by the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court.
The courtroom was packed with students on Wednesday afternoon who were there to show support for the two female and three male students that were arrested. The five were arrested under the regulations of Gatherings Act and released on a warning to appear in court again on July 20 for further investigation.
They have been warned not to take part in any unlawful protest actions until their next appearance and not to leave the Eastern Cape without notifying the Grahamstown police station.
A group of supporters gathered outside the court shortly after the arrests in the morning and students also collected money to assist those arrested with bail.
Also read: WATCH - Rhodes protesters arrested
In emotional scenes on Wednesday‚ panicked students were filmed inside police vans as Rhodes University vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela appealed to police to release arrested students and lecturers tried to calm the students in the vans.
Chaos erupted on Wednesday morning when students‚ protesting over what they call a rape culture at Rhodes‚ barricaded roads and closed entrances to campus. Police reacted by arresting some of the protesters and using teargas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Wednesday was the fourth day of protests‚ under the hashtag #RUReferenceList‚ following the posting of a “reference list” containing the names of 11 students accused of rape on social media.
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