Pretoria - The Presidency has objected to media reports blaming President Jacob Zuma for the violence that erupted during the gathering of students at the Union Buildings on Friday.
Some students expressed dissatisfaction when the president could not come and address them at the south lawns of the Union Buildings.
“The Presidency issued a formal advisory to the media indicating that the President would meet student leaders, university vice-chancellors and chairpersons of university councils. The Presidency also issued a formal advisory indicating that the President would address the nation,” the Presidency said in a statement.
The meeting followed rolling protests by students across the country over higher education fee increases. Thousands of students from various universities and student organisations gathered at the seat of government on Friday hoping for a solution to the fee impasse.
At the end of the meeting with stakeholders, President Zuma addressed the nation from a press room on the outcome of the meeting, where he announced that there will be a zero increase in university fees in 2016.
“Discussions will continue looking at broader issues than the fees,” President Zuma informed the nation on Friday.
The meeting also agreed that the Vice-Chancellors will extend the time for the examinations period to compensate for the time lost.
On matters of serious national importance, the Presidency added that President Zuma has addressed the nation twice since assumption of office.
“The first to inform the nation of the sad passing of President Nelson Mandela and secondly to release the report of Judge Ian Farlam on the Marikana tragedy.”– SAnews.gov.za
