There were protests in and around the University of the Witwatersrand on Monday ahead of the court appearance of a student leader who was arrested at the weekend. Johannesburg metro police spokesman Wayne Minaar confirmed the protest action and advised motorists to use alternative routes as traffic is heavily backed up in the area.

“There has been a student protest in the area since early morning. They have blocked the road with rocks and tyres. The protests have affected Oxford and Empire Roads‚” Minaar said.

Others reported action on parts of the campus.

Fees Must Fall leader and former president Student Representative Council (SRC) Mcebo Dlamini was nabbed by police at the weekend as “part of on-going investigations into recent violence‚ criminality and acts of intimidation”.

The cops arrested him at his university residence on Saturday night‚ and he is due to make an appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Wits SRC ‏@WitsSRC posted a picture of protesting students on Sunday night.

Along with stricter access and a strong police presence at all campuses‚ the university has also imposed a temporary 10pm curfew at its residences.

Campus radio status Voice Of Wits ‏@vowfm noted that Monday:

Wits insisted its “academic programme and all university activities continue” on Monday.