Forum for South Africa wants charges against 5 protesting WSU students dropped
The group was arrested last week at the height of a tense standoff between police and disgruntled students over their participation in a protest, following the release on bail of a university official accused of murder.
Walter Sisulu University. Picture: Nhlanhla Mabaso/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Civil organisation Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has called for charges against five protesting students from the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) to be dropped.
The group was arrested last week at the height of a tense standoff between police and disgruntled students over their participation in a protest, following the release on bail of a university official accused of murder.
Manelisi Mampane allegedly shot and killed Sisonke Mbolekwa in April during a separate protest over deplorable student accommodation.
The five students arrested at WSU's Nelson Mandela Drive campus have since appeared in court, facing multiple charges including arson, public violence, malicious damage to property, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
READ: 5 Walter Sisulu University students arrested during a protest released on warning
National leader of FOSA Tebogo Mashilompane said the students shouldn’t be punished for raising valid concerns.
“It is worrying that before action can be taken, students must take it upon themselves by demonstrating and in return, some end up dropping out due to being arrested. The other thing is that if charges are not dropped, the students will have a criminal record.
“We believe this is unnecessary because it will affect the future of the students in a negative way. FOSA calls on NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] to drop the charges against the students because the cause for demonstration is as result of the failure by the university.”