VIDEO: Wits students stone the Great Hall

Tuesday 20 September 2016 - 1:57pm
web_photo_stone_wits_20916

Students stand on the steps of the Great Hall at Wits University on 20 September 2016 after throwing stones at security guards.

Students stand on the steps of the Great Hall at Wits University on 20 September 2016 after throwing stones at security guards.

Lynne O'Connor
web_photo_stone_wits_20916

Students stand on the steps of the Great Hall at Wits University on 20 September 2016 after throwing stones at security guards.

Students stand on the steps of the Great Hall at Wits University on 20 September 2016 after throwing stones at security guards.

Lynne O'Connor

LIVE BLOG: Fees2017 protests at universities

JOHANNESBURG - Protests took a turn for the worse on Wits campus on Tuesday afternoon, when a number of students threw rocks and stones at security guards on the steps of the Great Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Security guards were seen throwing the same rocks back at the students.

 

 

 

 

The Wits University student protest over fees spread from the main campus on Tuesday morning as police fired stun grenades at protesters.

 

 

Students marched from the Braamfontein campus to the education and medical campuses in Parktown.

The university has decided not to suspend its academic programme, despite hundreds of students protesting. It says protesting students will be arrested if they do not comply with orders from police and security personnel.

At least 31 people were arrested on Tuesday morning when a group of protesters blocked entrances to the Braamfontein campus, but were later released on a warning. 

The students are protesting to demand that fees not be increased next year.

WATCH: No more than 8% increase - Nzimande

Demonstrations on Monday and Tuesday are a response to the government&39;s recommendations to universities regarding fees. Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced on Monday that universities and technical colleges would determine fee increases themselves, although the government recommended these be no more than 8%.