Wits student protests enter third day

Former Wits SRC president Mcebo Dlamini, known for his controversial Hitler remarks, has criticised Wits vice chancellor Adam Habib for not understanding the plight of protesting students, despite being black himself.

The students have vowed to keep the leadership at the university, until they accede to their demands.

Campus security and police are monitoring the situation, but students are still not allowing any vehicles to enter the campus. It is unacceptable for the majority of our staff and students to be held ransom by a minority.

Students at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg are protesting an increase of tuition fees today.

The protests started on Tuesday after the university announced it would be hiking fees by more than 10.5% from 2015.

Wits Head of Communications Shirona Patel said the fees increase annually.

“The students, in line with the Rhodes Must Fall movement are planning the protests this morning”.

Habib was later seen chasing members of the media away.

Student leaders said on Friday that they wanted to deal with university council chairman Dr Randall Carolissen. Wits proposed fee increases are simply unjust and unjustifiable.

Zuma last week pleaded: “While these processes are underway‚ students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property‚ which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation”.

We are on our way to Empire Road where the struggle continues!

“For the past three days, we were left with insults from this man [Habib]”.

Utilities are increasing at rates substantially higher than the inflation rate. We stand with you as you join ranks with those workers whose jobs are at risk. We fight together against any limitations on access to university for the poorest in society.

Classes were disrupted when students took to the streets to march against the proposed tuition fees.

Even though two thirds (about 20 000) of our students are on bursaries, scholarships and financial aid, we are cognisant of the pressure that this places on parents and caregivers of those who have to pay their own way.