Cops could face legal action after #FeesMustFall protests
Students are being urged to open cases after police allegedly used ‘excessive force’ at the Union Buildings.
JOHANNESBURG - Outgoing Wits SRC President Shaeera Kalla has called on students to open cases against Gauteng police for using, what she claims is excessive force against Fees Must Fall protesters at the Union Buildings.
WATCH: #FeesMustFall: Aerial view of Union Building chaos
Police watchdog Ipid says 17 other cases were opened against officers nationwide during protests last month.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (Ipid) Grace Langa says it can only investigate the police's actions if there is a claim against an officer.
Langa says they are not aware of any such complaint regarding the march to the Union Buildings.
"If the police officers do not report, we will not know."
Kalla says they will be speaking to their lawyers soon to lodge complaints.
"Anyone who was there and who witnessed the kind of force that was used can really say that it was not justified at any point."
Violent scenes unfolded at the Union Buildings two weeks ago with the police using teargas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse students.
A group of people damaged State property and torched police vehicles.
WATCH: The day fees 'fell'