UPDATE: Gates at Wits open as #FeesMustFall protest continues

Wits University came to a standstill after students embarked on a protest after the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande announced an up to eight per cent fees increment for Varsity fees.

Wits students shut down the university by blocking all the gates and refusing everyone entry and exit on 19 September. South African Police Service (SAPS) members also found themselves unable to leave after spending a few hours monitoring the situation.

Several worried parents marched into the group of protesters at the main gate on Empire Road and demanded that their children be allowed to leave.

After the gates were opened around 5pm students returned to Solomon Mahlangu House to further discuss a way forward and relieved motorist were able to exit the university.

Security guards dressed in black attempted to block the entrance into Solomon Mahlangu House but students broke through and entered the premises.

Despite Wits management sending out a statement that it was business usual on its main campus in Braamfontein, students were pulled out of class earlier in the day and the day’s academic programme was halted. The statement read that Wits Management were analysing the Minister’s recommendations and would be consulting with the relevant stakeholders before making a recommendation to council.

• In news that has not yet been confirmed after a SRC meeting on campus tonight, the university will be “shut down” for the whole week.