Nzimande hoping for a 'peaceful' academic year as students step up their protest action
Updated | By Christelle du Toit
Nzimande only touched briefly on the events in Braamfontein that led to Mthokozisi Ntumba's death.
The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimade says he is still hopeful for a peaceful academic year, despite students stepping up their protest action in the streets out side the country's universities.
Following the death of Mthokozisi Ntumba on Wednesday outside Wits University, students were again our in numbers on Thursday to protect financial exclusions at institutions of higher learning.
ALSO READ: NPA: Insufficient evidence to prosecute protesting Wits students
The University of Pretoria (UP) also saw students taking to the streets, yet Nzimande told a press briefing following the recent Cabinet meeting he was still optimistic about the 2021 academic year.
"I look forward to a successful and peaceful academic year," said Nzimande, after he had announced Cabinet had approved the release of funding through a reprioritisation of his won Department's budget for registrations to proceed.
"The particular issue under discussion was the shortfall in funding for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for 2021 which has delayed NSFAS in being able to communicate funding decisions to students and institutions for first-time entering students in public universities," he noted.
He noted though that further reprioritisation "can only be considered as part of the Medium Term Budget process of government, which takes place later this year."
"I do acknowledge that this period has been very stressful for many students," said Nzumande.
As Nzimande was speaking though, students were relentless in their protest action.
In addition, SRC legal officer Gabriella Farmer says students are traumatised by the violent events that have marked their protests.
Nzimande only briefly touched on the events in Braamfontein that led to Mthokozisi Ntumba's death, saying he has instructed the Wits University Council, the Wits Management, and law enforcement authorities agencies "to provide us with an explanation on what caused this tragedy, and to take whatever steps to ensure justice is done and appropriate responsibility is accorded. "
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