(16 May 1996) English/Nat
South African riot police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets during a tense standoff between black and white students in Pretoria.
Three people were injured in the group of mainly black students who were protesting over interest charges on late tuition fees.
The violence came against a backdrop of rising racial tension on the college campus.
In a scene reminiscent of the `old' South Africa, riot police were called to Pretoria's Technikon College Thursday to control a tense standoff between black and white students.
Trouble first erupted on Wednesday when nearly 400 mostly black students wrecked several classrooms, protesting against interest charges on late tuition fees.
It led to a tense standoff between black and white groups at the college, which has a history of racial violence in recent years.
Police fired off a barrage of rubber bullets and tear gas, scattering the black students.
Three protestors were injured -- concerned classmates did their best to tend their wounds while waiting for help.
Once again, South Africa's racial divide was there for all to see.
UPSOUND: (English)
"You whites, you don't want to communicate with us. Only what you are looking for here is to attack us. Whereas we the black, we want to get a reconciliation between you and us."
"Yes, we too. This is our, yours and mine. Why do you have to throw down dustbins and break down classes?"
SUPERCAPTION: protestors
The police managed to keep apart the rival groups of white and black students - many of whom were clearly armed and prepared for trouble.
The College authorities held an emergency meeting to try to restore peace.
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20 июл 2015
