South African police clash with protesting students outside parliament

South African police on Wednesday fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and water cannons at protesting students outside Parliament.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan was delivering his 2016 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) speech at the Parliament.

Hundreds of students were gathering outside Parliament, demanding zero-percent fee increases and urging the government to keep its promise of implementing free education.

The protest turned violent when some protesters stoned passing vehicles and police cars. Several people, including passengers in passing vehicles, were reportedly injured.

Streets outside Parliament were turned into a battlefield. Shops on nearby streets were closed and the Cape Town CBD was sealed off by police. The McDonald's opposite Cape Town transport station has had its window smashed.

Parliament was in a total lockdown and MPs were advised not to leave the chamber.

A heavy contingent of police has been deployed on the streets outside Parliament.

Police said several people have been arrested for suspected involvement in acts of violence.

Earlier, Gordhan came out briefly to accept a memorandum from the students. He signed the memorandum and told student leaders he would look into their list of demands.

The students demanded that Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande come out to listen to their grievances.

Protesting students from various universities have vowed to continue the shutdown of institutions despite Gordhan undertaking to look into their demands.

Student protests across the country have continued unabated since late September when Nzimande allowed universities to raise fees, provided that it does not exceed eight percent. Endit