The DA condemns violence at UWC

12 November 2015

The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the violent protests at the University of Western Cape (UWC). The DA does not support violence of any form and violent students must desist from such activity. 

Reports of students vandalising university property, setting fire to residences and assaulting security personnel, and other non-protesting students, are unacceptable and must be condemned. 

We call for calm to ensure the safety of all UWC students and staff. We also urge students to focus on their exams.

Campus security and the police must also ensure that they act responsibly in responding to this violence.  

It is indeed disappointing that these students have acted inconsistently with the peaceful student movements that were seen across the country last month. This is disservice to so many students across the South Africa.

While the DA supports students’ rights to protest peacefully and voluntarily over concerns they have, this must be done responsibly, and in the confines of the law. We therefore urge students to desist from violence, ensure calm is restored, and to act lawfully and responsibly at all times.

Issued by Yusuf Cassim, DA Interim Youth Leader, 12 November 2015