Five students who were arrested over the weekend were each released on R1 000 bail yesterday in the Grahamstown Magistrate's court.
Five students who were arrested over the weekend were each released on R1 000 bail yesterday in the Grahamstown Magistrate's court.
Vuyisani Sigingqi and Teboho Mahapi were arrested on Saturday morning for allegedly assaulting security guards.
A third student was arrested later on Saturday for allegedly assaulting a female police officer.
This was after students marched to the police station to demand the release of their two colleagues.
The student was not asked to pay bail and was only released on warning.
Benjamin Trollope and Kgalaletso Moerane were arrested for breaking windows.
Magistrate Ntsoki Moni postponed the case until 30 November.
Brigadier Sally de Beer from the SAPS head office confirmed the arrests of the students. She said the students allegedly broke windows and assaulted the security guards.
"On Saturday 5 November, from the early hours of the morning to midday, five students were arrested, two for malicious damage to property, stoning out windows on campus.
"The other two (were arrested) for assault, grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria involving security personnel and one for assault on a policewoman.
"They appeared in court yesterday (four of them on R1 000 bail each and one on free bail). They will appear again in court on 30 November and police investigations continue," said De Beer.
In a statement.
Rhodes University spokesperson Catherine Deiner said Friday night saw acts of vandalism on campus with some windows shattered by a small number of protesters.
She said the cost of replacing glass adds to the financial burden of other forms of destruction experienced recently, including arson.
Deiner said the university "absolutely condemns" the wanton damage to property.
She said at approximately 5:50am on Saturday, three security guards from the university’s Campus Protection Unit, who were on their way home after completing a shift, were the victims of a sustained physical assault by protesters.
"The University condemns in the strongest terms the assault and intimidation of staff members and students. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. The staff members have been treated for their injuries and are recovering well.
"In the early hours of the morning of 6 November a fire began in a kitchen attached to one of the University’s dining halls. The fire, which was brought under control by emergency services, is under forensic investigation.
"The University continuously reviews its arrangements for security in order to ensure the well-being of staff and students.
"Examinations conducted from 28 October have proceeded smoothly without incident. We are grateful to all who have worked to ensure that this has been possible," said Deiner.
