SOUTH AFRICA: Running battles close university

South Africa's Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, will commission an independent investigation into problems at Durban University of Technology following running battles between students and police that have forced the institution to close until next term, writes Latoya Newman for The Mercury.

The university secured a high court order against 15 members of the student representative council, preventing them from inciting violence or disruption and vandalism on campus.

A student, a street vendor and a police officer were injured on Tuesday during confrontations at Steve Biko campus involving police, security guards and students. Sixty-two students were arrested and charged with public violence. Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said about 5,000 protesters danced through the campus, chasing non-striking students off the premises and stoning police and staff members' cars.
Full report on the Independent Online site