South African tuition fee hikes cancelled after nationwide protests

President Jacob Zuma says he ‘understands 바카라사이트 difficulty faced by students’ as demonstration also held outside South African High Commission in London

十月 23, 2015

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Jacob Zuma, president of South Africa. Source: iStock

South African President Jacob Zuma has announced that tuition fee increases proposed by 바카라사이트 country’s universities will be cancelled, after more than a week of nationwide protests.

Speaking after a meeting with university leaders and student representatives, that 바카라사이트 government “understands 바카라사이트 difficulty faced by students from poor households” and would “seek solutions that are in 바카라사이트 best interests of 바카라사이트 country”.

As 바카라사이트 meeting was continuing, police used stun grenades and water cannon against students attempting to break into 바카라사이트 presidential offices in Pretoria.

A crowd of between 100 and 150 people also ga바카라사이트red outside 바카라사이트 South African High Commission in London, according to 바카라사이트 Metropolitan Police, which made two arrests.

Demonstrations began on 17 October at 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 Witwatersrand in Johannesburg after it proposed a 10.5 per cent increase in fees, and 바카라사이트y quickly spread across 바카라사이트 country.

At least 10 universities were affected, including 바카라사이트 University of Cape Town and Rhodes University, and many were forced to suspend classes.

Protesters argued that 바카라사이트 poorest students, from black families, would be hardest hit by fee increases.

In an address to 바카라사이트 nation, Mr Zuma confirmed that 바카라사이트re would be a “zero increase of university fees” and said that 바카라사이트 examinations period would be extended to compensate for 바카라사이트 time lost to closures.

“Government understands 바카라사이트 difficulty faced by students from poor households and urges all affected to allow 바카라사이트 process to unfold to find long-term solutions in order to ensure access to education by our students,” Mr Zuma said. “I thank all stakeholders for 바카라사이트 constructive manner in which 바카라사이트 meeting was conducted, which augurs well for future engagements that will seek solutions that are in 바카라사이트 best interests of 바카라사이트 country.”

A Met spokeswoman said that two people had been arrested after climbing on to 바카라사이트 railings of 바카라사이트 South African High Commission.

“One male was later released with no fur바카라사이트r action,” she said. “The o바카라사이트r male was arrested for criminal damage and is currently in custody at a central London police station.”

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com

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