South Africa: Students Turn Violent In Protests

 A lecture theatre was set alight on Wednesday at the
Cape Peninsula University of Technology during student protests

Students torch buildings of Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on Wednesday after days of protests.

Police and firefighters controlled the situation. Witness say police used stun grenades to disperse the protesting students. No injuries were reported on the incident.

The university administration and the African National Congress (ANC) condemned the attacks and vowed to 'punish' those involved.

"These criminal acts must be punished using the full might of our law enforcement system as they can never be a justification for any grievance anyone may have had," ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

"All stakeholders are further called upon to redouble their efforts to find amicable and lasting solutions to disputes and the restoration of the academic programme," Kodwa said.

According to CPUT officials the students were angered by the suspension of four student leaders who were involved in protests and the issues involving student accommodation, student safety and insourcing of workers.