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Wits University students protest March 11 in Johannesburg.
OJ Koloti / Gallo Images via Getty Images
- Police used tear gas to disperse students from Wits and the University of Johannesburg who were protesting on Monday.
- They located and interviewed a student who reported being shot in the leg during the chaos.
- IPID is now investigating the incident.
The Independent Police Investigation Directorate (IPID) says it will investigate the circumstances that resulted in the shooting of a 20-year-old student, allegedly by police officers during protests in Johannesburg on Monday.
According to police spokesman Brigadier Vish Naidoo, an attempted murder case has now been opened after the student was located and interviewed on Tuesday.
Naidoo said that during an interview with her, the student alleged that she and a friend were stopped by police who were traveling in a marked vehicle.
SEE | Police deny shooting protesters as student demonstrations flare up again
She said that when they were dropped off near the Braamfontein Cemetery, an altercation broke out between her and an officer.
“She further alleged that they then took her out of the police vehicle and subsequently shot her in the leg,” Naidoo said.
“This incident occurred in an area where student protests were not taking place. The police officers against whom this accusation is directed have not yet been identified.”
IPID spokeswoman Ndileka Cola said that while management was investigating the case, “there were not many” details about it yet.
Cola added that IPID would release an update later to describe what exactly it would investigate.
On Monday, police denied claims that its members had fired at protesters, News24 reported.
Disperse
In a statement at the time, Naidoo said: “In an effort to disperse volatile crowds, only a smoke grenade was used in one incident and water cannons in another.”
Students from Wits University and the University of Johannesburg were protesting in the streets Monday when chaos broke out as they approached the M1 from the UJ Bunting campus.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
LIST | Student protests: here are the demands of the students
The chaos continued in Braamfontein thereafter, where the student was later found with a leg injury.
News24 was nearby when a vehicle was arranged to transport her to the hospital.
She was treated by doctors on Jorrisen Street shortly after the protesters were again tear gassed. He was bleeding from an open wound.
News24 could also hear gunshots. It was not clear what type they were.
The students, who were nearby, claimed that the wound was caused by live ammunition. Four students were also arrested during the commotion.
Naidoo said the national police commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, took the case seriously and approved a departmental investigation.
“SAPS management wishes to reiterate its position that SAPS members are always encouraged to conduct themselves in a professional manner and perform their duties within the limits of the law.
“If any of our members exceed the limits of the law in any situation, then those members will be held accountable for their actions at both the criminal and departmental levels.”
