The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has raised concerns over the handling of recent student protests at the University of Venda, questioning whether police acted within the law during a week of unrest that disrupted academic activities on campus.
This comes as the university confirmed that classes resumed on Monday following talks between management and student leaders.
The protests began on the night of 3 May, after students embarked on strike action over what the Student Representative Council (SRC) described as poor academic conditions, governance failures, deteriorating infrastructure and transport challenges affecting off-campus students.
In a statement issued on Monday, the SAHRC said it was concerned after seeing videos circulating on social media showing confrontations between students and police officers. The Commission said the footage and public reports raised questions around “proportionality, legality and adherence to proper policing protocols”, particularly allegations that some students were arrested inside residences and elsewhere on campus grounds.
Videos widely shared online showed students fleeing from police vehicles, tyres burning on campus roads, and officers from the Public Order Policing unit patrolling the university premises. In one clip, a student was seen using a dustbin as a shield while rubber bullets were allegedly fired.
“The right to protest and to peaceful assembly is a protected constitutional right and forms part of South Africa’s democratic tradition, particularly within institutions of higher learning,” the SAHRC said.
Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said protesters had blocked roads leading to the university and vandalised road signs during the unrest. He said the Public Order Policing unit was deployed to stabilise the situation.
Three students were arrested and charged with public violence and traffic-related offences. They are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
While acknowledging the responsibility of police to maintain public order, the SAHRC stressed that law enforcement must operate within constitutional limits and respect human dignity.
The Commission said it was assessing the matter in light of previous incidents involving university protests, including its earlier inquiry into unrest at Walter Sisulu University.
Students submitted a memorandum of demands to university management on 5 May, leading to negotiations between management and SRC representatives. The strike was later suspended on 8 May following an agreement between the parties.
University spokesperson Dr TV Dzaga confirmed that academic activities officially resumed on Monday.
“The university management welcomes this positive step and remains committed to fostering constructive engagement, mutual respect and a conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and student life,” Dzaga said.
However, the SAHRC indicated that its involvement in the matter was ongoing and that it was considering urgent engagements with students, university management and the South African Police Service to encourage dialogue and de-escalation.
It remains unclear whether all the concerns raised by students have been fully addressed, with no formal declaration yet made that the protest action has completely ended.
It is also unclear whether last week’s unrest on campus is linked to a grievance letter sent to the Minister of Higher Education by a group that did not want to be identified. In the letter, the university is criticised, with allegations that senior management have “fostered a climate of fear among both workers and students”. Numerous untested allegations are made in the letter.