Students have rejected a proposed 6 percent cap on university fee hikes for next year and have demanded a 0 percent increase. Protesters at Wits have said they will not move until this demand has been met.
Wits protestors remove Actuarial Science student Phumla Tsematse from class #WitsFeesWILLFall pic.twitter.com/VDvHTKVPUt
— Yusuf Omar 🎥📱 (@YusufOmarSA) October 20, 2015
Sthembiso Ndlovu, the deputy chair of the South African Students Congress in Gauteng said, “We are saying we want zero fee increases. We don’t want this 6 percent cap they are talking about. We are continuing with our fight for free education.”
The university said they took the decision of suspending all activities in order to ensure the safety and security of their students and staff. “The executive management has decided to suspend all university activities for the remainder of the week. This applies to all staff (academic, professional, support and administrative) and students,” said the university in a statement.
https://twitter.com/WitsSRC/status/656191106716057600
Students were also reminded by the university that any protest that takes place off campus were out of Wits University’s control and that the university has no influence over how the South Africa Police Service may deal with situations that occur in other public areas.
Shout out to the all students at wits fighting for their future!!! Very inspiring and courages young people!!! #WitsFeesWILLFall
— Don Billiato (@casspernyovest) October 19, 2015
The university will remain closed until 26 October. Students have been encouraged by the institution to use the time to prepare for their examinations.
We protest during the day and study at night. Be sure to join us Witsies…!!! #WitsFeesWILLFall #FeesMustFall pic.twitter.com/E5fopsHg4Q
— . (@KingG1g) October 20, 2015
