Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has condemned violence and destruction of property at several tertiary institutions.
Nzimande was addressing Parliament on Tuesday and speaking about the state of readiness for the 2020.
The minister’s comments come in the wake of reports of violent protests at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of the Western Cape and the TUT in Pretoria.
“The beginning of this academic year has been marked by some violent student protests at a number of our institutions,” he said.
“In all these cases, my department has been working with them to address specific challenges. We wish to particularly condemn violence and destruction that has accompanied some of these protests. No matter how legitimate a complaint is, we must protect property and life at our institutions,” said Nzimande.
Earlier, Nzimande told the media that for students burdened with debt to register, they need only “sign an acknowledgement of debt form and meet the required academic targets to receive continued funding”.
(Compiled by Charles Molele)
