Friday 21 October
Rhodes students march to the Grahamstown police station to open a case against SAPS for alleged police violence. They deliver
Friday 21 October
Rhodes students march to the Grahamstown police station to open a case against SAPS for alleged police violence. They deliver
a memorandum to Vice Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela alleging police brutality on campus and the use of rubber bullets and stun grenades in residences.
Saturday 22 October
Students march around campus to mobilise support. They light fires. Public order police fire on students at the Prince Alfred/South Street intersection. An arson attempt is made on a rear door of the Great Hall. Street lights are damaged. Around 30 windows are broken at the Main Library, the Sol Plaatje Institute for Media Leadership and the Geography Department. Several vehicles are damaged including two police bakkies.
Monday 24 October
Students attempt to occupy the main admin building demanding a response to their complaints about alleged police violence. Three computer labs are damaged. Defensive gates are erected around the library. Residence kitchens are closed and students are given vouchers to get food in town. Many say they are too scared to do so. Rhodes University staff are asked to attend work as usual.
Tuesday 25 October
Rhodes announces stringent security measures for exams which are rejected by protesting student. Running battles on campus with police firing rubber bullets, stun grenades and teargas at protesters and bystanders on campus. Rocks are thrown at police near Jan Smuts residence, setting off a series of skirmishes. Two student leaders are arrested. Journalism lecturer Brian Garman is shot on the arm while guiding students into a building.
Wednesday 26 October
The fourth week of violent clashes and arrests on campus. A stand-off lasts several hours outside Jan Smuts residence. Several students are shot at and arrested. Jane Viedge, a journalism lecturer is shot in the back with a rubber bullet when entering
the building with students running from police. A television student is shot in the eye while giving first aid to an injured student.
Police fire at medics with their hands up at Founders Hall. Members of a running mob throw a petrol bomb into Alec Mullins
hall and break down the door of the Hangar, smashing windows and breaking up desks to make a fire. The Tennis clubhouse
is set alight and gutted. A fire destroys a feature wooden bridge in the Botanical Gardens. Running battles flow into St
Andrew’s College and Diocesan School for Girls. Students hold a media briefing around events of the week and collect reports
of alleged police brutality. The Provincial head of the Ipid (The Independent Police Investigation Directorate) says it will investigate
these allegations. Students are given 48 hours to decide if they wish to write exams in November or in January. If they
choose January they will have to leave residence in 48 hours and will not be allowed to write supps.
Thursday 27 October
Campus is largely calm. The Eden Grove complex closed for several hours. Police and private security guard several exam venues. A petition to declare Rhodes University a space that is not conducive for learning is started. A legal response to management
on the events of the week is prepared for delivery.
