Student union vows to shut down universities from Monday
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has warned of another tertiary institution shut down as early as next week - following a meeting with Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
Nzimande was due to address media this afternoon on whether or not there would be a tuition fee increase at the country's tertiary institutions next year.
However, the press briefing was postponed - with the ministry saying further consultations needed to happen.
The student union's president Avela Mjajubana said they wanted all institutions to shut down from Monday.
He said they were very disappointed with the proposals put on the table by Nzimande, adding they were crafting a letter to all student representative councils, making the union stance clear - a zero percent increase, or another shutdown.
SAUS said it would get a mandate from students this weekend on their plans to protest for free higher education.
"From next week we would want to meet President Jacob Zuma, but to meet with him students must be on the streets," Mjajubana said.
He added that student unions were also concerned by the lack of engagement between government and the private sector - to address the issue of fees.