“I will not do that for a zero percent increase”, student activist Simamkele Dlakavu said.
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Protests over S Africa university fee hikes was posted in World of TheNews International – https://www.thenews.com.pk on September 20, 2016 and was last updated on September 20, 2016.
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Max Price said failing to increase fees would result in hundreds of jobs lost, and reduce financial aid to poor students.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) will remain open on Monday and staff have been requested to attend work‚ but “classes‚ lectures and tests” have been suspended. It also urged students and university management to desist from engaging in unlawful activities, such as the destruction of university property.
“We are going to consult with our students regarding the minister’s announcement”.
Students are now gathered in large groups and are walking around campus disrupting classes in a bid to get a stronger protest-count.
In October 2015, a proposed 8 percent hike in tuition fees set off a wave of student-led demonstrations throughout South Africa.
Minister Nzimande announced on Monday that universities will individually decide on fee increases for the 2017 academic year.
“We require stabilisation in higher education and training”.
In an effort to balance the competing demands of students and school administrators, Minister Nzimande has proposed a middle ground on the fee issue.
At one point a group of more than 100 students entered the residences on the north campus and went from door to door, calling on the students to come out and join the protest.
The Treasury’s director-general, Lungisa Fuzile, could not confirm whether the government would give more money to students, who are demanding increased state subsidies.
Universities were rocked previous year by violent student protests, with several campuses temporarily shut down and riot police clashing with students outside parliament. “We will only be liberated through free quality education for the poor”, the statement read.
“Last year I put my body on the line protesting against fees”.
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Myende was critical of government saying the fee increase announcement should have been made earlier in the year.
