SOUTH AFRICA - STUDENTS BEGIN PROTESTING AT UCT, WITS AND NMMU

Students are up in arms following the announcement made by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande regarding 2017 varisty fees as the University of Cape Town and Wits are reportedly being shutdown.

Already reports are coming in of 10 - 15 students having been arrested at Wits as well are students bruning tyres outside Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

University of Cape Town

Demonstration at the University of Cape Town Lower campus Picture: Twitter

University of Cape Town (UCT) students on Tuesday have shutdown the lower campus of the institution by blocking the entrance with dustbins in Cape Town. 

The UCT shutdown is hitting day 2 as it started on Monday after a much anticipated fee announcement.

This action was triggered by the announcement made by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande of fee increment for 2017 of a maximum of 8% at universities across the country.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch University(SU) Tygerberg campus is also embarking on a shutdown protest.

WITS Univeristy

Police donning riot gear at Wits University. Picture: Twitter

The situation is tense at Wits University in Johannesburg.

Some of the students who blockaded the main entrance earlier this Tuesday morning have been arrested and clashes with the police continue. 

Students at universities across the country threatened to shut down the institutions following Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande's announcement that universities could increase 2017's tuition fees, but had to cap them at eight per cent. 

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Students begin to protest at NMMU. Tyres and rubble are being burnt out the Main Entrance. University Way and Gomery roads are closed and traffic officials are rerouting motorists.