AS IT HAPPENED: Cape Town buses operating again, heavy police presence in CBD | News24

live

26 Oct 2016

Last Updated

Live News Feed

Go to start

26 Oct 2016

And calm appears to have returned to the Parliament area. Photo by Paul Herman.

26 Oct 2016

UPDATE from Golden Arrow's bus service: "Law enforcement are escorting our buses back into the City and we are clearing passengers as quickly as traffic allows. Please wait at your regular bus stop or make your way to the Golden Acre. Thank you once again for your patience."

The MyCiti bus service also stated that it is operating normally again but commuters should expect delays.

26 Oct 2016

Police keeping a heavy presence on Barrack Street, CT.

26 Oct 2016

Roads that were closed earlier for the protest in Cape Town CBD have been reopened. Though motorists can expect to encounter heavy traffic.

26 Oct 2016

ICYMI:

26 Oct 2016

For those still on the streets of Cape Town, please take care. Here are safe havens for those seeking safety. pic.twitter.com/0lqwUvLRiD
— #26October (@FeesMustFallWC) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Windows have been smashed at Cape Town station

26 Oct 2016

Roeland and Barrack Streets were cordoned off and stun grenades could be heard near Cape Town CBD train station.

26 Oct 2016

Cleaning up after student protest at Parliament @News24 pic.twitter.com/m12vaqX1Qb
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) October 26, 2016

Police are maintaining a heavy police presence outside Parliament as government workers start clearing the streets of bricks and other debris.

26 Oct 2016

A lot quieter around Parliament. Just a couple of Nyalas holding traffic for VIPs #FeesMustFall #FeesMarch pic.twitter.com/e7Q12c0QYj
— D? (@darrynvdwalt) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Still the scene outside Parliament. Photo by News24's Jenni Evans.

26 Oct 2016

ICYMI: From earlier

26 Oct 2016

A smashed police van. (Supplied)

26 Oct 2016

We're not sure yet on the course of this women's ill state but the CBD has been chaotic today #FMFParly pic.twitter.com/ZW47n18Quh
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

8 stun grenades heard south of Cape Town station entrance. Police now clearing debris and a fire in Strand Street. #FeesMarch @News24 pic.twitter.com/E30aHbgJnT
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Fire and debris on Strand Street. (Paul Herman, News24)

26 Oct 2016

An eyewitness who did not want to be named said he witnessed people having an altercation in Plein Street, when one of the man's friends allegedly picked up a half a brick and threw it towards the other man.

The eyewitness said the man was hit in the head and fell straight over. There was a lot of blood. Paramedics bandaged him up and he eventually got up into an ambulance

26 Oct 2016

Current situation in Cape Town CBD. #FeesMustFall #uct #cput #uwc #fees2017 pic.twitter.com/L7YpUuiZY8
— Sullivan Photography (@Sullphotography) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

The situation on Plein and Darling Street. #FeesMarch @News24 pic.twitter.com/L5coQPZFZH
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Reports of Golden Arrow buses being stoned. Passengers possibly injured.

26 Oct 2016

Many more police officers being deployed on the streets outside Parliament.

26 Oct 2016

Massive police contingent walking down Plein Street. #FeesMarch @News24 pic.twitter.com/UckcES4X5p
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

A man is seriously injured in Plein street. Medics with him. Blood from the back of his head. @News24
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

While Minister Gordhan presents his budget, we have received an email saying Parliament is in total lock down and we must not try to leave.
— Dianne KohlerBarnard (@DKB20) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Row of students have joined students in front outside Parliament. They've started singing. #FeesMustFall #Fees2017 pic.twitter.com/AFpsIZ6sYY
— Tina Hsu (@ImTinaHsu) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Shops across the CBD are closing down as some protesters stone windows and cars. The McDonald's opposite Cape Town station has had its window smashed.

26 Oct 2016

#Fees2017 #MTBPS rubbish set alight in Plein St pic.twitter.com/VtTkuTatw9
— POWER987News (@POWER987News) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Some students are telling others to stop recording video. Rubbish bins being turned over and set alight.

26 Oct 2016

Outside #Parliament now @News24 pic.twitter.com/2KJSK2phbO
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Protesters are now ripping up pavement on the corner of Barrack Street to get bricks, reports News24's Nick Pawson.

26 Oct 2016

Students have reportedly scattered throughout the CBD, with some stoning windows and cars.

26 Oct 2016

News24's Jenna Etheridge says a burning box coffin was thrown by students over police's heads. A cop then rushed with fire extinguisher to put it out. This prompted police to fire.

26 Oct 2016

Students burn Blade's "coffin" throw it at police. Stun grenades go off, chasing students away @GroundUp_News #Fees2017 #Parliament pic.twitter.com/gOsHRtBaPQ
— Ashleigh Furlong (@ashleighfurlong) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Stun grandes fired at protesters after burning box is thrown at police @DailyVoiceSA @IOL #FeesMustFall pic.twitter.com/dzVFcYhgdT
— Tshego (@tshegofatsang) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Police release 4 stun grenades outside Parliament. #FeesMarch #MTBPS2016 @News24 pic.twitter.com/2AOr7sOuVD
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Student protesters jump off then jump back on police van as it moves. A student was injured after kumping off. #FeesMarch @News24 pic.twitter.com/6sIm9uE8Iy
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

Police have remained very calm despite students climbing on top of their vans

26 Oct 2016

Students appear to be getting restless.

26 Oct 2016

#SouthAfrica #feesmustfall police finally tell students to get off police cars. Look at this dude try defy stern orders #capetown pic.twitter.com/iK0Oos50aD
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Student leaders are addressing the crowd. Police remain protecting the gates of Parliament.

26 Oct 2016

Situation outside Parliament's visitor's centre. #FeesMarch @News24 pic.twitter.com/Af2hR4AFG0
— Paul Herman (@PaulTHerman) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

#SouthAfrica things getting a little tense outside parliament #feesmustfall #capetown university student protests calling 4 free education pic.twitter.com/SNk89EvzyT
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) October 26, 2016

Students have climbed on top of police vehicles and barbed wire.

26 Oct 2016

To follow the action inside Parliament, go to our live updates over at Fin24:

LIVE UPDATE: Pravin Gordhan's mini budget

26 Oct 2016

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was called a "coward" as he signed memorandum and walked away. Students want Blade.

26 Oct 2016

Student leader warns Gordhan: "We want to tell you, if our demands are not met, universities will remain shutdown. We promise."

26 Oct 2016

No sign of Blade Nzimande yet. Students are calling for him to come out.

26 Oct 2016

Asked if he has good news for students, Gordhan says "A little bit" while he listens to protesters @News24 pic.twitter.com/e2GMXwrIMh
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan comes out to see the students ahead of his #MTBPS2016 @News24 pic.twitter.com/dEbNezec7g
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) October 26, 2016

26 Oct 2016

#police #helicopter circling over #FeesMustFall #protest at #Parliament @News24 @ewnreporter pic.twitter.com/lF7li5PrMh
— Jochen Schmidt von W (@Jochen_svw) October 26, 2016

A police helicopter circles over Parliament

26 Oct 2016

Students have arrived at parliament #FMFparly #FeesMarch #UCT #UWC #CPUT #Stellies pic.twitter.com/luk0wT33XP
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) October 26, 2016

An abundance of blue helmets await students

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.

Join News24 today

Next on News24

WRAP | Today the ICJ has vindicated us, Israel's actions are genocidal - Ramaphosa

26 Jan