A scuffle has broken out between members of the EFF Student Command and the SA Student Congress (Sasco) at the Wits University protest in Braamfontein.
Less than 20m from where a body of a man who was killed allegedly by the police, members of the EFF Student Command wrestled with Sasco members for politicising the tragedy.
The Red Berets were angry that Sasco members brought new ANC branded T-shirts to the scene to be worn by their members.
EFF students lashed at the move, arguing that Sasco was hijacking a legitimate struggle of students which had cost the life of an innocent person.
Tensions rose and the scuffle broke out between leaders of the two organisations. When calm was ultimately restored, the two groups protested separately along De Beer Street. Sasco and the EFF Student Command had been singing Struggle songs together since this morning in their protest.
Wits University SRC president Mpendulo Mfeka urged students not to deviate from the objective despite differences.
“They tried attacking me… But I want to encourage students across the country to stay true to the course. Yes, we will have people who have their own selfish end, but we must not deviate from the main goal. Wits University is on standstill as we speak. Braamfontein is on standstill. We have just lost a life. If we proceed in this fashion, that life would have gone in vain.
“We must make sure we unite not only with the EFF, [and] the DA but with every student formation. We cannot afford to be divided. When the system excludes us, it does not do so on the basis of someone’s political affiliation. It excludes them on the basis of their financial capabilities. I’m requesting all students… to unite beyond political lines,” Mfeka said.
Earlier, a man who had just come out of a clinic along De Beer Street in Braamfontein was shot and killed when police opened fire using rubber bullets. Two other students were injured in the shooting.
According to witnesses, the man was shot with medication in his hand. He was confirmed dead on the scene. Police are now at the scene collecting evidence.
Students have since remained on the same street, singing Struggle songs, demanding answers from the police.
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