Graham Pugin, SJ Shot by police outside Trinity Church.

A Jesuit university chaplain has been shot in the face by suspected rubber bullets fired by South African riot police outside Braamfontein Holy Trinity Church, which is adjacent to Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg.

Father Graham Pugin SJ was injured on Monday as he tried to protect students running into his church, for safety. He is pictured standing in front of the church gates to block access to a police armoured personnel carrier. Witnesses said he raised his hand and succeeded in stopping the charging vehicle.

Students were protesting against the proposed 8% increase to university fees from next year. During the violence a bus was set on fire as police and student demonstrators clashed. Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and water cannons to disperse students after they pelted stones.

Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, of the Jesuit Institute, advised that doctors caring for Fr Pugin feared the rubber bullet may have caused damage to his jaw: “They’re a little bit worried that it could have damaged the jaw and cracked his tooth, so he’s going for x-rays but otherwise he’s okay.

”When asked if Father Pugin would press charges, he said, “The main thing Father Pugin is saying at the moment is he’s not concerned about that, he just wants people to calm down and to come to a table because otherwise the standoff is not going to get better.”

In a statement Fr David Rowan SJ, Regional Superior of the Jesuits in South Africa said today:
"We have received many prayers, well wishes and offers for assistance from across society. We have also received support from the Jesuit General Congregation meeting in Rome at present and the Vatican Ambassador to South Africa, His Excellency Archbishop Peter Wells. Fr Graham has been one of the facilitators, along with other clergy and former student leaders, working towards an agreement between the students, management and other stakeholders at the University of the Witwatersrand. All the facilitators have worked hard to create an atmosphere of trust. Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein has served as a safe and sacred space for negotiations, and we hope that it will continue to do so.
Unfortunately, the negotiation process has been stalled and we are concerned by the sense of distrust between all the role players. The high security presence and clashes between police and students have also heightened tensions, making negotiations, at this stage, much more difficult. The shooting of Fr Graham has shocked and distressed many people, including students. He, along with the Society of Jesus, remain hopeful that a solution can be achieved.
We believe there needs to be a national mediation effort to resolve the fees issue and stabilise the situation on campuses. We note the establishment of a national government task team on the fees crisis but believe that this alone will not deal with the problem. We believe there needs to be a concerted effort, involving all sectors of society, to deal with the historical context and systemic problems which make higher education inaccessible and unaffordable for millions of poor South Africans.
We stand ready to participate in this mediation effort so that a national solution can be found to the crisis in the higher education sector. We are concerned by the levels of violence and urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint so that an atmosphere conducive to negotiations may return. We appeal to all involved to pledge themselves to restore peace on and around our campuses."