Johannesburg – The State failed young people, Witwatersrand University (Wits) student leader Mcebo Dlamini said on Wednesday outside the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
“If there was free education there would be no young people in Sun City [ Johannesburg Prison]. Our people are forced to do crimes to put food on the table because of a failed state,” Dlamini said while addressing students and workers outside the court gates.
Dlamini, 30, faces charges of public violence, theft, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following his arrest at his Wits residence in October.
Earlier during proceedings, Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng said the refusal to grant Dlamini bail was not sound and consequently wrong. Mokgoatlheng granted Dlamini bail.
He ordered that Dlamini pay R2 000 and desist from unlawful disruption of academic activities at Wits He is entitled to participate in lawful activities on the campus but is prohibited from communicating with witnesses.
Dlamini said that police and prison warders needed free education as well in order for them to do their jobs correctly.
“The police need free education to avoid unlawful arrests, they can’t write dockets,” Dlamini said.
Following court proceedings Dlamini was welcomed by around 60 students and workers who were singing struggle songs while he walked out flanked by other students leaders.
Dlamini said Wits could not expect students to write exams when they were not psychologically ready following protests.
“We are making a call, I know he [Wits Vice Chancellor Adam Habib] is listening because he knows I’m outside, by end of the day there must be a second sitting for exams or poppe sal dans [Afrikaans expression meaning “all hell will break loose”],” Dlamini said.
Dlamini then instructed students to leave the court to prepare for a meeting on a way forward. He is expected back in court on November 15.
African News Agency