WATCH: Education Crisis Forum cancelled due to disruptive students

A meeting in Midrand of stakeholders in higher education on Saturday morning had to be stopped after students invaded the venue. Despite numerous attempts to get it going again, continued disruption forced its premature “postponement”.

Former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke addressed delegates earlier in the morning at an event being attended by, among others, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and former public protector Thuli Madonsela. Moseneke was also the one who, just before 2pm, declared that there was no point in continuing further.

#EduCrisisForum the waste of time & effort & intentions & money as chaos once again was first tool used in disrupting a process on solutions

— Solomon (@isizulu) March 18, 2017

Students had been making numerous allegations during the day, including that the state has infiltrated the Fees Must Fall movement to undermine it.

#EduCrisisForum makes me laugh. Students attacking one another. How is this a united movement? Come on guys 😂

— Nic (@SaintNic94) March 18, 2017

Earlier, apparently students were not pleased about the presence of Nzimande. Negotiations with the students were taking place to see if the programme could be resumed. Nzimande told journalists that the disruption had been “very unfortunate”.

Everyone again ordered out of marquee. Convenor says There's been an attempt to burn this marquee @News24 #EduCrisisForum

— Alet Law (@AletLaw) March 18, 2017

Students from a majority of political parties, including the Young Communist League, the ANC, the EFF Students Command, Azapo and the PAC, were present.

#FeesMustFall leaders say they are taking the fight for free education "back to the picket lines" #EduCrisisForum

— Oliver Meth (they/them) (@oliver_meth) March 18, 2017

A number of their representatives declared on Saturday afternoon that they wanted proceedings of the Higher Education National Convention to continue.

A representative from Fees Must Fall also declared that they were not part of any political organisation. She repeated a list of demands, including the demilitarisation of campuses and the end of financial exclusion of poorer students.

When Wits vice-chancellor Adam Habib tried to address the gathering, he was drowned out by loud singing and dancing from students.

#EduCrisisForum Students disrupted the programme after hearing Higher Eucation minister Blade Nzimande is here. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/AhyHBzYvP2

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Big boost for student living quarters

— Manqoba Mchunu (@ManqobaMchunu) March 18, 2017

According to eyewitnesses, the students got involved in throwing chairs and bottles. It’s understood that when Busisiwe Seabe started to speak, a student rushed the podium.

Seeing flying chairs and bottles it was horrific. #EduCrisisForum

— Yonela Vikwa (@y_vikwa) March 18, 2017

EFF student command making an entrance at the #EduCrisisForum. Programme halted. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/pMm8B1UjPi

— Manqoba Mchunu (@ManqobaMchunu) March 18, 2017

https://twitter.com/Masengwa/status/843044301819068416

Dikgang Moseneke addressing student leaders outside main tent #EduCrisisForum pic.twitter.com/E9BfcGv5ec

— The Daily Vox (@thedailyvox) March 18, 2017

Listen to what @Jay_Naidoo has to say about the sudden disruption that broke out at #EduCrisisForum #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/nWJYmm7H66

— Liabo Setho📺🎤 (@LiaboSetho) March 18, 2017

No conversation will happen until suspensions/expulsions, charges, insourcing, & feedback on free education r addressed! #EduCrisisForum

— Fighter 🇵🇸 (@NalediChirwa) March 18, 2017