Rhodes University is once again under the spotlight after what should have been a day of celebration turned into a scene of chaos and alleged police brutality at the 1820 Settlers National Monument during its graduation ceremony.
Civil society movement Not In My Name International has condemned the SAPS for its heavy-handed actions, describing the incident as disgraceful, sickening and a violation of basic human rights.
The organisation says young people, mostly aged between 19 and 23 and the majority female, were subjected to live intimidation, violent shooting, chasing, physical dragging and arbitrary arrests on what should have been a platform for constitutional expression.
“What should have been a space for constitutional expression was turned into a scene of state-sanctioned violence,” Not In My Name International said in a statement.
The movement said it was worse that police indiscriminately targeted, assaulted and detained bystanders and non-protesters who were simply in the area.
According to Not In My Name International, tactics of terror were used against unarmed youth who posed no threat.
“Tactics of terror against unarmed youth have no place in a democratic society. Peaceful protesters who were sitting down on the ground posed zero threat. Yet, officers saw fit to open fire, drag individuals who had already surrendered, and hunt down fleeing young people all the way onto university campus grounds,” the organisation said.
The incident has reignited debate about policing of student protests and the securitisation of university spaces in South Africa. Rhodes University, now officially known as Rhodes University but still grappling with the legacy of its colonial symbolism, has a long history of student activism, particularly around graduation ceremonies which have in recent years become sites of protest over fees, gender-based violence and decolonisation.
Not In My Name International said it refuses to let the matter be swept under the rug with generic departmental apologies.
The movement is demanding full transparency and accountability from SAPS leadership, the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner and the Ministry of Police.
“WHO made the specific operational command for police to launch an aggressive response against peaceful, seated protesters? WHO authorized officers to pursue, corner, and shoot at young people fleeing down campus grounds? WHO sanctioned the physical abuse and dragging of individuals who had openly surrendered on the floor?” it asked.
The organisation said it welcomed the release of all individuals unjustly arrested during the violence, but insisted that an urgent, independent investigation must follow into every officer and commander involved in the operation.
“We stand firmly alongside the youth, students, and affected community members. We will not be silent while the rights and bodies of young people are trampled upon by those sworn to protect them,” Not In My Name said.
The statement was issued by National Spokesperson Boitumelo Thage.
By the time of going to publication, SAPS in the Eastern Cape had not responded to questions about who authorised the operational response at The Monument, whether rubber bullets or live ammunition were used, and how many people were arrested and injured.
Rhodes University management had also not issued a detailed statement on the events, the safety of its graduating students, and its position on police entering campus grounds.
