ANC CONDEMNS VIOLENCE & DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AT NWU

The African National Congress condemns in the harshest possible terms the violence and destruction of property at the Mafikeng campus of the North West University. We view the torching of a vehicle and burning of buildings as the work of misguided criminal elements and call on the law enforcement agencies to move swiftly to apprehend and charge those involved.

There can be no justification for the use of excessive force by the protection services at the institution. In the same manner that vandalism and damage of university buildings goes beyond the limits of a “right to protest”.

The ANC calls on all stakeholders to immediately resolve their grievances peacefully with the intention to restore calm and return to normalcy to the University. Yesterday’s developments are a reflection of a failure of necessary leadership in dealing with disagreement from both students and management.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, ANC national spokesperson, 25 February 2016