South African university set ablaze in student protest

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/25/south-african-north-west-university-set-ablaze-in-student-protest

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A university in South Africa is being evacuated and the campus shut indefinitely after protesting students torched buildings, destroying the administration building, a spokesman for the facility has said.

Koos Degenaar said an administration block that included a science centre at North-West University in Mahikeng was burned down on Wednesday night. Student protesters also set fire to a dormitory supervisor’s residence.

The images coming out from North West University Mafikeng campus are completely devastating. #NWUMafikeng pic.twitter.com/PTW4mFRWVN

Degenaar said the violence started after a students representatives council meeting was disrupted by protesters. The situation escalated quickly as private security guards attempted to disperse the crowd using teargas and rubber bullets.

Images on social media show students injured after clashes with police and private security.

[#NWU] Extensive damage seen at NWU's Mafikeng campus. The Res managers house burnt. Unclear if it was targeted. pic.twitter.com/EKakjjyBqq