UKZN students to occupy central Pietermaritzburg areas
Student leaders say they will occupy key strategic locations in Pietermaritzburg in the fight for free, quality education if their demands are not met.
UKZN students were among those who protested against Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande's fee recommendation for 2017.
Nzimande announced earlier this week - that fee increases will be determined by institutions - however not exceeding 8% for the coming year. This with exceptions for students being funded by the National Student Financial Aid and students from poor working and middle-class families.
About 400 student activists yesterday marched to the Provincial Legislature where they handed over a memorandum of their demands.
Amongst the list of demands - was for government to withdraw private security services on campus, for an update on all alleged rape cases on campus and topping the list was rejecting the proposed fee increase of no more than 8%.
Students have voiced the reasons for marching for a no-fee hike. Listen below.
Yesterday, student representative Sphelele Nguse spoke about student demands at the Provincial Legislature.
#UKZN SRC's Sphelele Nguse on the student demands pic.twitter.com/8hTSz6NVHm
— Khatija Nxedlana (@its_KhaTija) September 20, 2016
Meanwhile, the National Treasury has been inundated with enquiries on how the shortfall pertaining to university fees will be funded.
The Treasury says it will announce the results of its decisions into higher education fees during the medium term budget policy statement on October 26.