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S. African minister calls for end to university protests

Xinhua, March 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

South African Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande on Monday urged university students to end protests and return to class.

This came after Nzimande met with Police Minister Nathi Nhleko at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg to discuss the role of police during student protests.

The meeting was at one time disrupted when students shouted "Blade Must Fall" and threatened to set university buildings on fire.

The two ministers were briefed by university management about the current unrest on university campuses.

According to Nzimande, there was a small group that wanted to impose its views through violence.

He said the involvement of security police was not their first choice, but he had a duty to protect university property.

The police would assess the situation at universities before outlining each department's next move to contain the unrest at universities, Nhleko said after the meeting.

"We will basically conduct a review and take stock of what the situation overall has been and what currently obtains, and how we need to find a way of enforcing the law and re-cultivating the rule of law at our universities," he told students.

Last week, protests erupted at several universities in South Africa for reasons ranging from language policy and high tuition fees to accommodation shortage and outsourcing.

During the protests, students burnt buildings and destroyed public properties. At the University of Free State, the protest led to racial tension when black students clashed with white students.

Academic activities have been suspended indefinitely at a number of universities and might resume after three months.

Meanwhile, several students at the University of Pretoria have expressed concern with the heavy presence of security on campus as lectures resumed on Monday, following protests over its language policy.

Last year, major universities across the country were also affected by student protests over rising tuition fees. Enditem