South Africa: Clashes reported at student-led protest ongoing in Johannesburg March 9

Event

Student-led protests are underway at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg the morning of March 9. Protesters have used burning tires to block roads surrounding the campus. Police have deployed and have fired rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators. There are no immediate reports of injuries. Demonstrators are denouncing the financial exclusion of students who have been unable to pay student debt.

Further protests cannot be discounted; if they do occur, they could overflow onto the adjacent M1 highway. Further violence is also possible, especially if protesters refuse police orders to disperse. Transport disruptions are likely in the vicinity of incidents.

Advice

Monitor local media for updates on the protest action. If possible, avoid the protest as a routine security precaution and to mitigate associated disruptions. Check local traffic conditions for disruptions and allow extra time to reach destinations in the protest area March 9.