Return to class and finish your degrees, says Nzimande
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says he aims to meet with all stakeholders next week to find a solution to the impasse related to university fees.
The Minister had been addressing the media in Pretoria giving feedback on the meeting with the National Board of Convocations and Alumni.
This comes as universities have had to close their doors due to escalating violent protests countrywide.
The Minister says the protests - some of which have been violent - are being led by a small group of students who are holding the majority to ransom.
"Some of them are saying they want free higher education for the poor now. Why do they go back? Because there is a process of the commission. There is no reason for this protest.
"That is why we are urging students to go back and we are also urging the majority...why are you allowing yourself to be held hostage by a minority of violent students and allow your careers to be destroyed," he said.
Nzimande believes the student protests are designed to destablise government. He has also hit out at the media for not condemning the violence.
"This is an anti-ANC government agenda by elements who could not win power through the ballot box and they want to discredit the ANC. Some of these ultra-left academics were part of Marikana," he said.
Calling for a probe into the death of an employee of a security company at the Wits University, Nzimande earlier said university authorities should have reported the incident sooner.