Minister Blade Nzimande condemns violent protests

Minister Blade Nzimande condemns violent protests

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande on Tuesday strongly condemned violent student protests at several universities around the country. 

Blade Nzimande_gcis
Photo: GCIS

In a statement the ministry said the violent protests led to the destruction of property and interference in the academic programmes in some institutions.


"This is wholly unacceptable and provide no solution to student concerns. Government has gone a long way to accommodate poor students and those in the missing middle, by exempting them from any fee increase in the 2017 academic year," the statement read.


The department also said that the protests turned violent as a result of - what it called - rogue elements.


"After wide consultation was undertaken on the measures announced this week to address the ongoing issue of university fees. Government has heeded the call of students by subsiding fee increase in 2017 to poor, working class and "missing middle" students," the ministry said.


Student leaders have meanwhile vowed to continue with their protests.


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Nzimande also called on students to continue engaging in dialogue.


"The dialogue with students must continue; however damage to property and violence can never be tolerated," minister Nzimande said.


The minister also called on law enforcement agencies to act within the boundaries of their mandate, against any "hooliganism" resulting in "violence and destruction". 


The statement concluded that minister Nzimande and the department are in close contact with universities and student leaders to deal with the "unacceptable expression of discontent."

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