Student protest set to intensify
The protest for free higher education is set to intensify this week, with the Tshwane University of Technology closing the gates to its Pretoria West campus on Monday morning.
Last week students closed down the Wits University in Johannesburg while some students also protested at the University of Pretoria.
TUT spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter said that both gates have been barricaded but that they are engaging with student leaders to resolve the situation.
"There has been no decision taken to suspend classes, for now," de Ruyter said.
A message was sent out to students last night, urging them to join the protest for free education.
The message read:
The resolution was taken was to shut down all Universities and colleges on Monday 26 September 2016. Workers and all unions will be joining students on the free education call. Anyone who will try to stop the movement will be dealt with. We further agreed that the freedom charter when it says doors of learning must be open for all it must happen now. The call for free education it's real.
Meanwhile the ANC Youth League says the discovery of three petrol bombs at the Wits University's Braamfontein campus at the weekend, is evidence that the student protests have been hijacked by criminal elements.
Wits spokesperson, Shirona Patel says police have launched an investigation after the bombs were discovered behind one of their buildings.
There was a large police and security contingent at the Wits main campus in Braamfontein on Monday morning.
According to the Wits SRC Twitter handle students are expected to have a meeting at Solomon Mahlangu House where their internal demands will be discussed.
Students have indicated that they will be taking their protests to the steps of power, with plans to mobilize to Luthuli House, parliament and the Union Buildings.