Johannesburg - Government has assured protesting students that it is responding to their concerns regarding tertiary institution fees.
It is now imperative is to restore the academic programme at universities.
“We are urging [students] to go back to class and restore the academic programme. They can continue raising their concern with management and with government while in class. We are on the same side with the students even though we differ on the tactics of solving the problem,” Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said.
He was speaking at a media briefing on Friday after a meeting the student leadership of various institutions of higher learning and Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster in Johannesburg.
Minister Nzimande called on the students to allow the Commission of Enquiry appointed by President Jacob Zuma to finish its work of finding a lasting solution to the problem.
The South African Union of Students, which was also present at the meeting, said it supports government’s plan and called on students to return to lectures.
Students have been protesting over the 2017 fee increment which was announced by Minister Nzimande last week. He announced that universities would decide on their increases individually but that the fees should not increase by more than 8%.
The protests have spread to various universities across the country and have turned violent with students calling for the shutdown of all institutions.
Government maintains that it has made great strides towards expanding access to higher education to students from poor and working class backgrounds.
Minister Nzimande said for the 2017 academic year government has ensured poor students who receive assistance from NSFAS and the “missing middle” do not pay any fee increase.
“Students from families with a family annual income of up to R600 000 will not pay any fee increase. Government has further recommended to universities that the fee increases should not exceed 8%.”
The subsidy is estimated to benefit almost 70% of all undergraduate students in universities and colleges.
At the briefing on Friday, Security Ministers expressed concern at the escalation of violence, destruction of property and a general state of lawlessness and public disorder that has become an integral part of the protest.
Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said while government recognises the legitimacy of the issues raised by students with regards to access and the provision of free quality education, it emphasised that acts of violence, intimidation and destruction of property will not be tolerated.
“Government recognises and respects the right to freedom of expression, we would, however, like to warn all protesters that section 16(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa does not extend this right to incitement of imminent violence,” Minister Nhleko said.
Police stand ready to be deployed as additional resources to universities to contain the situation if needed.
He appealed to the leadership of students, parents and all stakeholders to work together with government to dissuade students from committing acts of criminality that may result in criminal records which may jeopardise their future prospects.
“We urge members of the police to always act with maximum restraint and ensure that their conduct is always beyond reproach. We equally appeal on the students to work with our law enforcement in ensuring that these protests are peaceful.”
Answering a question on whether State Security has gathered intelligence regarding the protests, State Security Minister David Mahlobo said his department has gathered intelligence and was looking into a number of incidents.
"The issues of students are genuine and this government is responding, it's trying to listen. We are also sharing notes with them to say there are certain elements who are exploiting this thing, who are now no longer interested in supporting students," Minister Mahlobo said.
Meanwhile, President Zuma will on Monday open a Higher Education Multi-Stakeholder Imbizo.
The imbizo will be attended by various sectoral leaders to seek the wisdom of all sectors including parents, students, business and labour, to seek solutions, given that education is a societal issue. – SAnews.gov.za
