National shutdown of universities on 15 March as protests continue
The South African Union of Students
(SAUS) have threatened to embark on a national shutdown of universities across
the country on Monday 15 March.
Protest action turned violent in Johannesburg last week, as students clashed with police.
The body sent Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande a list of demands, giving him until last Friday to respond.
Among their demands, they are asking the minister to clear all historical debt for all students.
- Allow registration for academically and financially deserving students
- No financial and academic exclusion
- Solid plan for missing-middle student funding
“Should Minister Blade Nzimande fail to respond positively to the list of demands, SRCs have given SAUS a clear mandate to engage with SAVETSA (Union representing TVET colleges) and all student political formations in preparation for rolling mass actions and a National Shutdown of all higher education institutions from Monday 15 March,” a SAUS statement read.
Nzimande is yet to respond but Spokesperson for Higher Education Ishmael Mnisi says students who participate in any form of violence will face the full might of the law.
“The violent protest which leads to loss of life, damages tpo public and private property is unacceptable. It provides no solution to student s concerns,” Mnisi said.
“Protesting students must refrain from intimidating the general student populace and university staff by making inflammatory comments that incite violence,” he added.
