Justice minister to assist #FeesMustFall activists
Justice Minister Michael Masutha says his department is ready to assist #FeesMustFall activists who are trouble with the law.
Masutha briefed the media in Pretoria on Monday after holding discussions with student activists.
In 2015, students embarked on a national protest calling for higher education fees to be scrapped.
The protests turned violent with clashes between students and police and large-scale damage to university property.
Masutha met with students activists last week Friday on the behest of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
He outlined that the criminal justice system provides alternatives to outright criminal prosecution and the Constitution also provide the president with the power to grant a pardon.
However, he pointed out that government cannot grant a pardon to an anyone or a group of people without following constitutional framework.
He has proposed that the student activists constitute a delegation which will a provide a list of affected students.
"Those who are arrested and still in custody or detention, charged or awaiting the prosecutorial decision, on trial and sentenced. Including those serving custodial sentences in correctional services," said Masutha.
The department will assist the activist with their representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
"To consider to evaluating each case specifically to in order determine the seriousness,” said Masutha.
He further said where appropriate he will guide the students in drafting applications for pardons to the NPA.
Listen below: