SAM MUKWAMU AND KAYLA THOMAS 

At approximately 14:30 on 3 September students marched to the Brooklyn Police Station, and thereafter to Du South student accommodation on corner Jan Shoba and South Street. Students began protesting, demanding that an alleged sexual assault perpetrator be taken into police custody.

Following the protests on the evening of 2 September, a vigil was held at the amphitheatre in solidarity of victims of gender-based violence and the recent xenophobic attacks in the city. They began marching to the police station demanding that one of the alleged sexual assault perpetrators be processed at the police station. After being denied access into the police station the students progressed to Du South, where the alleged perpetrator is allegedly staying. Some of the students managed to enter Du South’s property to search for the perpetrator, but Du South security and police managed to deny the rest entry. PDBY can confirm that the alleged perpetrator whose arrest the students were demanding is in the building; however, police stressed that without an open case no arrest can be made. At the time of publication, there is a growing police presence, and police have closed down both ends of South Street, in front of Du South. Tshwane Metropolitan Police also arrived on the scene. Students have proceeded to march on Jan Shoba, blocking traffic.

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Police have resorted to using pepper spray to disperse the students from the Jan Shoba intersection.

Image: Ricardo Teixeira