ANCYL says Wits University management is crazy

Wits students shut down the university on Wednesday, blocking entrances and calling for Wits to decrease the planned fee hikes. 

ANC Youth League spokesperson Mondli Mkhize says it is inconceivable that a University like Wits would increase fees in the manner that it plans to. 

"The ANCYL expresses its unreserved support for the rejection of this increment and the calls for a moratorium on this increase until all consultation processes are concluded. It is unconceivable that a university like Wits will want to increase fees in the manner they are doing," he says. 

Mkhize says the rumours that the University also plans to demolish a residence to build a car park shows that they are going crazy. 

"We will never accept the reactionary suggestion that students must be subjected to 10.5% overall fee increment. As if this was not enough, the management wants to demolish a residence to build a car park. This is the sign that they are crazy. How do you demolish a residence which students need for accommodation and you do not offer an alternative residence? ," he says. 

The University resumed with lectures on Thursday despite the ongoing protest and private security was hired to patrol the campus. 

Mkhize says the Youth League calls on the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande to intervene. 

"The ANCYL believes that skills development is a critical part of our quest for the attainment of Economic Freedom in our lifetime. It is with this reason that the ANCYL calls on the Minister of Higher Education and Training, to put all hands on deck to ensure the attainment of free education for the future of this country", he says. 

Edited by Sune du Toit 

File Photo: ANCYL WEBSITE