On Thursday, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Blade Nzimande outlined plans for additional funding for students in higher education. This comes amid widespread outrage over the death of 35-year-old Mthokozisi Ntumba, who was killed when police opened fire on unarmed students protesting at Wits University on Wednesday. The police allegedly opened fire and Ntumba was hit as he came out of a nearby healthcare facility.
During a post-Cabinet briefing, Nzimande expressed his condolences to Ntumba’s family, friends and colleagues.“I have directed that the Wits University Council, the Wits Management and… relevant law enforcement authorities provide us with an explanation on what caused this tragedy, and to take whatever steps to ensure justice is done and appropriate responsibility is accorded.”
Ramaphosa on Wits education protest death: There was overreach by police Updated
Christelle du Toit
Share this: The way I saw it on television, did not warrant the type of resistance and push from our police, he said.
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba during the Wits student protest, saying he believes the police used excessive force.
Ramaphosa was addressing the House of Traditional Leaders on his Stae of the Nation address on Thursday and said the events in Braamfontein the day before filled him with deep sadness. Mthokozisi Ntumba was an innocent bystander and indeed even I would say even the students. Much as they were protesting, the way I saw it on television, did not warrant the type of resistance and push from our police because it demonstrated whilst our people were protesting rather peacefully, there was overreached, it seemed like that, by the police, he said.