Threats to paralize S. African universities "unjustified": minister

Threats to shut down universities are "unjustified and totally uncalled for", Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande said on Monday.

"Student organizations who are threatening this have not come to me to say what their problems are and what the alternative that they are putting on the table is," Nzimande said after announcing in Pretoria that universities can increase fees for 2017, provided it does not exceed eight percent.

His announcement prompted protests at several universities around the country. Students at Wits University in Johannesburg have shut down the campus while protests at the University of Cape Town have led to the suspension of academic programmes.

"It is totally unjustified as this announcement they are making comes from extensive consultations, more than 90 percent of the stakeholders, including youth and student organizations agreed to this," Nzimande said in response to threats by student organizations to shut down all universities.

He said student organizations who are threatening to paralyze universities have not come to him to say what their problems are and what the alternative that they are putting on the table is.

"They just demand, demand, demand. We can't run a country like that. I am willing to engage with them," Nzimande said.

Universities insist on an eight-percent fee rise and students demand for zero-percent increase.

"Our recommendation is that fee adjustments should not go above eight percent," Nzimande said in his announcement of the fee hikes.

But he also announced that there would be no increase in university tuition fees for National Student Financial Aid Scheme beneficiaries.

"We understand the legitimate student concerns about the affordability of university education. At the same time, we need to ensure that those who can afford to pay must pay," Nzimande said. Endit