Protesting Wits students burn Minersâ Monument and try to bring it down Share Johannesburg - Protesting Wits studentsâ plan to destroy the Minersâ Monument in Braamfontein were thwarted when police quickly swooped in and confiscated the rope they were using to pull down the statue. The students, who have been protesting since last week over issues of funding and blocked roads with burning tyres, turned their anger to the statue, near the Johannesburg City Council. They tied a rope around then pulled it, trying to bring it down. However, the statue did not budge. Initially a student carrying a bottle with a flammable liquid approached the statue, sprinkled the liquid around it and set it on fire. The fire did not destroy it and as they were busy pulling at it, Joburg metro police officers arrived.