"Education must be free," Vavi tells Wits students

The former Cosatu general secretary addressed protesting Wits students in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon.

Students earlier in the day marched to Cosatu's headquarters in Braamfontein, demanding that the trade union federation supports students in their quest for free higher education.

Cosatu's General Secretary, Bheki Ntshalintshali accepted the memorandum.

"We are working with the students. We don't want to make decisions without their involvement. We will be meeting with their leadership and we are meeting as the Top 6 on Monday and thereafter we will be able to indicate and communicate in practical terms where we stand on these issues," he said.

Later in the afternoon, Vavi told students that no one can tell them there is no money in the country to fund free education as South Africa is one of the richest economies.

He further accused government of allowing 29 billion US dollars to leave the country's shores.

He praised students for mobilising for a cause and encouraged workers, as their parents, to support them.

"It is now your responsibility to lead society towards this dream. Our responsibility as workers, our responsibility as parents is to stand shoulder to shoulder with you," he said.

Wits closes all campuses

While students gathered outside Cosatu house, Wits suspended all activity and warned it might have to close the university should conditions on campus not improve.

Wits has been especially hard hit by protests where violence erupted Wednesday and Thursday when protesting students clashed with security officials and police.

The university said it will keep all stakeholders, including staff, students and parents informed on the suspension of operations via official communication channels.

Vavi invited student representatives to address the steering committee of the 57 unions, which is meeting next week, and demand their support.

Vavi was applauded by students when he urged them to submit a Section 77 Notice to Nedlac.

"When you submit a Section 77 Notice at Nedlac you are saying to the government, you are saying to the bosses... unless you solve the problem right now, you are going to have to face a strike from all the workers of this country," said Vavi.

Students are expected to meet throughout the weekend to determine the way forward.