Students held Blade Nzimande's staff 'hostage'

Students preventing employees at the offices of the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria from leaving, finally dispersed just after 16:00 when police arrived with a water cannon.

The building on Francis Baard Street houses the office of the Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, who was not there at the time.

A group of students had taken up position in front of the building since 11:00 on Thursday, one of the staff members told News24.

"By 16:00 about 100 students were still sitting outside, but earlier the group was much bigger. Some of the students left to join other groups of protesters," he said.

Students continued to block the entrances to the building, including the entrance to the parkade.

"We felt safe inside, because the security locked all doors. Also, the students were very peaceful, we never felt threatened."

He said around 16:10 the police arrived with a water cannon, asking students to disperse. 

Employees were able to leave the building around 16:30.