21 Mar 2021 | 02:00 PM UTC
South Africa: Student protests may persist nationwide through late March /update 1
Student protests may persist nationwide in South Africa through March. Tertiary education campuses and surrounds likely gathering areas.
Event
Various organizations representing students may continue to lead protests at or near tertiary education campuses nationwide through March. Groups, including the South African Union of Students (SAUS), the South African Students Congress (SASCO), and EFF Students Command, continue to demand the cancelation of student debt and increasing funding for students. Demonstrations are likely at or near campuses and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offices.
Security forces are likely to deploy to monitor related events. Protests could attract a few dozen to a few hundred people. Confrontations between security forces and student protesters are possible. Ground travel disruptions are likely near all protest sites. Note that protesters may also seek to demonstrate outside education facility campuses and could block road routes or engage in acts of public violence. The arrests of students and their subsequent appearance in court have also sparked gatherings near court buildings. Further such gatherings may occur.
Context
Student protests have been ongoing through most of March. University of the Witwatersrand students began protesting in Johannesburg March 8 after some students were unable to register due to outstanding debt. Demonstrations escalated after a bystander was shot and killed by security forces during a protest in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, March 10. Various groups then called for an indefinite national shutdown from March 15. Since then, protests have occurred regularly at or near tertiary education campuses, NSFAS offices, and court buildings. The government has acceded to some demands and further negotiations are likely; however, without all demands being met, protests are likely to persist. Furthermore, given the number of groups involved in the protest action, finding a common consensus on when to cease protesting is likely to be challenging.
Advice
Exercise caution near likely protest areas through March. Liaise with trusted contacts on updates and for more information on the location of protests. Avoid all protests. Heed the instructions of the security forces. Confirm business appointments at tertiary education facilities.
