Shaken

Brigadier Lamprecht was [unclear: obiously] badly shaken. He was [unclear: rembling], and almost stuttered [unclear: but] his explanation of what had [unclear: happened].

Pointing to the Cathedral steps he said: "This was an [unclear: unawful] public gathering, or meeting. When these people refused to move off when they were warned to do so, I gave the order to disperse them."

When I pointed out that all the students had been standing on private church property, and had been standing peacefully there for some time. Brigadier Lamprecht replied: "Yes, but all those people over there (members of the public on the opposite side of Wale Street) could see and hear what was going on, so it was a public meeting.

"You've got to get permission from the municipality to hold such a meeting — and in this case no permission had been given."

From my vantage point on the centre island in Wale Street, directly opposite the Cathedral steps, I watched as Brigadier Lamprecht moved about the scene of action, looking at the constables under his command as they lashed out with their batons.

Pictures taken by Cape Times, Argus and freelance photographers bear this out.

One photograph, taken by a freelance, shows Brigadier Lamprecht taking part in the action himself.

At no stage was he seen restraining any of his men.

During the melee I did not at any stage see any student or member of the public assault a policeman.