Cape Town police have arrested 10 university students on charges of public violence, following protests against femicide after a spate of murders that rocked the nation.
The arrests were made after chaos broke out at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) where the World Economic Forum on Africa is taking place, after protesters stormed the venue.
On Wednesday, thousands of angry and frustrated people took to the streets over the abuse and violence directed at women and children, which have made headlines in recent weeks.
Police used stun grenades, pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
School children, university students, members from various civil community organisations and the public gathered outside the CTICC, chanting struggle songs and holding placards saying “enough is enough” and “stop killing women and children”.
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Mense demanded President Cyril Ramaphosa come out to address them on how he is
planning to stop the scourge of femicide.
Protesters urged Ramaphosa to call a state of emergency following the murders of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Jesse Hess, Leighandré Jegels, Janika Mello, Lynette Volschenk, Meghan Cremer and mom of three Sadiqah Newman, who was eight months pregnant when she was gunned down by gangsters.
The murders and rapes took place during Women’s Month in August.
Many have also asked for the death penalty to be brought back, with two petitions garnering nearly a million signatures by last night.
A large group of mostly students took to the streets under the hashtag, #aminext. Video: Courtney Africa
However, SA Human Rights Commissioner Chris Nissen said he was not in favour of the death penalty, saying South Africa has a history where the death sentence had been “disproportionate”.
“The right to life is an important issue and instead we need to focus on how men have to take responsibility and change their behaviour in society,” he said.
WEF delegates were reportedly barred from entering or exiting the CTICC 2 and were forced to use the skywalk between the venues.
Protesters broke through a barrier of cops at the Heerengracht traffic circle and headed towards the CTICC.
There were chants of “we want a state of emergency” and “shut down the country” as a group of protesters charged towards the doors of the CTICC.
Police spokesman André Traut says the 10 students will appear in court once charged.
A large group of mostly students took to the streets under the hashtag, #aminext. Video: Courtney Africa
Earlier, a group aligned to the Total Shutdown: Intersectional Women’s Movement Against GBV (gender-based violence), had staged a silent protest outside the summit.
The silence hour ended at 10am, with protesters saying police tried to intimidate them.
Spokesperson Zintle Olayi said: “It is very traumatic, and as we were being threatened by cops, women broke down in tears.
“The main agenda from SAPS was to remove us... we just wanted to draw attention to the fact that we are being murdered.”
“Every three hours a woman is killed,” Olayi said.
“Our bodies are disposable.”
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Hundreds of students, who had earlier demonstrated outside Parliament where they heckled Police Minister Bheki Cele, later joined the WEF protest, disrupting traffic in the CBD.
UCT students, along with students from various institutions, came out in numbers holding placards reading “my only sin is having a vagina” and “I don’t want to die with my legs open”.
Cele and UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng addressed students outside parly, where Phakeng called on the government to come with a real solution to address the ongoing violence against women.
“We do not feel safe. Even public spaces are not safe. We want our leaders to come with a plan to protect us,” Phakeng said.
Cele, who was jeered by students, said SAPS is doing what it can and will provide students with frequent updates.
After Nene’s body was found in Khayelitsha this week, social media went into overdrive with mense condemning government for not doing enough to stop the violence.
FIERCE: Cops halt protesters from invading the CTICC, venue of the World Economic Forum
Nene went missing on 24 August and was confirmed dead on Monday.
Her alleged killer’s house in Khayelitsha was set alight on Tuesday night by angry residents.
Police denied reports that more bodies were found at the house.
A large group of mostly students took to the streets under the hashtag, #aminext. Video: Courtney Africa