Presidency refutes fees commission report

The Presidency has strongly denied a newspaper report that President Jacob Zuma was set to announce free tertiary education during his State of the Nation Address in February this year.

According to the Sunday Times, officials stepped in to prevent President Zuma from making an announcement, as they feared it would have a detrimental effect on the country's economy. 

But the Presidency says this is simply not true. 

"The President waited for the commission to conclude its business. At no stage did he plan to make any announcements that would undermine the work of the commission." 

READ: President Zuma studying fees commission report

In a statement, the Presidency reiterates that President Zuma has ordered the Inter Ministerial Committee on Higher Education Funding to report and advise him on the way forward.

The Sunday Times also claims the president wanted to announce a R40-billion free education plan last week Tuesday but again held off, allegedly due to threats of resignation by by senior Treasury.

There has been no comment from the Presidency on these allegations.

The president is yet to officially release the report by the Heher Commission of Inquiry into higher education fees. 

He told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) last week that the report will be released soon.