Nzimande calls on students to "start contributing"
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande on Tuesday called on students to go back to class, write their final exams and start contributing to the economy.
Nzimande told reporters in Pretoria that the ongoing protests are being led by a small group of students who are holding the majority ransom.
"Some of them are saying they want free higher education for the poor now. Why do they go back? Because there is a process of the commission. There is no reason for this protest. That is why we are urging students to go back and we are also urging the majority...why are you allowing yourself to be held hostage by a minority of violent students and allow your careers to be destroyed," Nzimande asked.
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Nzimande said he wants to meet with all stakeholders within the next week to find a solution to the impasse on university fees.
He said the protests have an anti-ANC narrative and the violence seen on various campuses do not represent the view of the majority of students.
"We don't want universities to shut down, because they are too important. We also want students to finish their 2016 academic year and write their exams and hopefully pass. But what do you do if you start getting casualties and this destruction of property. There is no other choice. We will support the universities who are saying that they are shutting them down and taking students out of the residences in order to save this important asset from this violent minority," he said.