Students from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) took their protest to the streets of Parktown, blocking roads and burning tyres during peak morning traffic on Monday.

Police fired rubber bullets in an effort to disperse the defiant students. At nearby Knockando students residence, a standoff between police and protesters ensued.

The ‘FeesMustFall’ protesters demanded that a curfew implemented by the university on Friday be lifted as it restricts their freedom of movement on campus.

University buildings such as libraries, reading rooms were between 9.30pm and 6am, except at student and staff residences.

Those who do not reside in the campus were not allowed entry during curfew times. Students defied the curfew and gathered outside their residences on Sunday night.

Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said students set alight rubbish bins placed on the lawns overnight. Rocks were hurled at buildings, breaking windows she said.

“A security guard was assaulted outside the men’s residence and his vehicle’s windows broken. Several campus inroads and those outside the student residences were barricaded, however, they have been cleared this morning. Stun grenades were used to disperse students, no police entered any residences last night.”

The institution said lectures would continue despite protests.

Protesting students were mobilising to go to court and lend support to former Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) president Mcebo Dlamini. The 32-year-old was arrested at his student residence room on Sunday for allegedly assaulting a police officer.