Student protests caused R459 million in property damage: Minister
The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, said the estimated cost of damage caused to property due to student protests have increased to R459.835 million.
Nzimande responded to a parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance on Thursday.
"The estimated costs of damage to properties have increased by R151.532 million, totalling R459.853 million since October 2015," Nzimande said.
North West University counted R151 million in damage, the University of Johannesburg R100 million, the University of KwaZulu-Natal R82 million and the Tshwane University of Technology nearly R40 million.
"The Department has contributed an amount of R40.496 million towards damages at five historically disadvantaged universities," Nzimande said.
These included:
The University of Fort Hare (R8 million)
Zululand (R4.5 million)
Western Cape (R25.858 million)
Walter Sisulu (R351 287)
Limpopo (R1.786 million)
Students embarked on a nationwide protest over fee increases at the end of 2015 which led to President Jacob Zuma placing a moratorium on fee hikes for 2016.