WSU campus shut over higher fees

Walter Sisulu University's Nelson Mandela Drive campus has been shut down as the debate around higher education fees continues.

SCR president Melikhaya Mcitwa said closing down the university was their “desperate attempt” to put pressure on the Fees Commission to release its report immediately.

The commission was established by President Jacob Zuma after the #FeesMustFall protests in 2015. It is looking at the possibility of free education in institutions of higher learning.

On Wednesday morning thousands of students blockaded the N2 in front of the campus.

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"We want the commission to release its report. Now they are delaying in releasing the report and they are talking of a possible increase of between 6%-8%. We are not going to allow that. The students have vowed that they are not going back to class until their demands are met‚" he said.

University spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo confirmed that no learning was taking place on Wednesday.

"Staff members were chased out of the premises of the university. The management is at this moment not aware of their issues. We are busy trying to engage with the SRC to find out the cause of the student unrest‚" she said.

Tukwayo was not sure when the situation would get back to normal.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fayela said police dispersed the students because they had blockaded the N2. No arrests were made.

The students planned to meet later on Wednesday.

- TMG Digital/Daily Dispatch