TSHWANE University of Technology (TUT) students at the Emalahleni campus are threatening to bring the town to a standstill after the killing of one of their own, allegedly by the cops on Saturday, 9 March.
Thabelo Mbau (25), an engineering student, and his friends were allegedly sitting outside the Khayalethu student residence when police confronted them.
It's alleged that they chased them away, and the students complied by running inside the premises.
In a CCTV footage seen by Daily Sun, the students are seen running inside the premises of their residence.
Three police officers are then seen following them, and one cop is seen dragging and pushing Thabelo, who then runs in the direction of the main gate.
According to the president of the Student Representative Council (SRC), Potego Mabilo, police ran after the students and arrested Thabelo, whom they allegedly brutally assaulted even after he co-operated.
"They brutalised him, took him outside the residences where they beat him up so badly and after assaulting him, left him unconscious by the road," he said.
Mabilo said students tried to fight off the police but were allegedly paper-sprayed in the process. Thabelo was taken to Witbank General Hospital and was declared dead.
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Mabilo said whenever cops see students at the gate of the residences, they always come for them, allegedly attacking and accusing them of public drinking.
He said they have had enough police harassment, especially directed at students in the area.
"Mbau was never armed. He never fought with them and even showed some respect by running away from them, but they still went after him like he was a criminal. They brutally assaulted him and left him to die.
"We've had enough of the harassment by the police, we've called for the students and all structures to join hands and march to Witbank Police Station to say it's enough," Mabilo said.
The students are planning to take to the streets on Tuesday, 12 March, to hand over a memorandum of grievances.
"We want to bring the town to a standstill. Police brutality must come to an end. We're seeking justice for one of our own," he said.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman, Phaladi Shuping, said the incident was reported to the IPID and it is currently under investigation.
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