#FeesMustFall ANC to meet with student leaders
The ANC will meet with student leaders at Luthuli House today to discuss practical steps towards addressing concerns behind the ongoing protest action over tuition fees.
"In view of the continued protest, it does not appear that the students are satisfied with the 6% fee cap for 2016. This calls for a second bite to look at what is feasible moving forward," ANC spokesperson Keith Khoza said.
Khoza was speaking about an agreement made between vice chancellors and the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, to drop tuition fee increases from an average of 10% at universities across the country to 6%. Students have rejected the 6% agreement, saying they want no fee hikes in 2016.
Khoza said the ANC now sees that perhaps there should have intense engagement with the students to avoid the protest.
In Cape Town, the student protest turned violent as police fired stun grenades and teargas at students when they forced their way into the Parliamentary precinct. Thirty students were arrested, including the sons of UCT vice chancellor Max Price and ANC stalwart Frank Chikane.
While politicians and civil rights groups have condemned the action taken by police against students protesters in Parliament on Wednesday, police say they were "satisfied" with how they conducted themselves. Students are adamant that the protest action will continue until their demands are met.
(File photo)