The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has given the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, until 5pm on Friday to respond to their demands, failing which they will embark on a nation-wide shutdown.
This followed protests by students at Witwatersrand University (Wits) and across the country against financial exclusion.
“It has been our considered view as SAUS that from Andries Tatane (2011); to Marikana (2012); to Higher Education (2015- today), we have an anti-black and anti-poor police force, who are not trained to deal with public order,” saidSAUS in a statement.
SAUS said government is systemically racist and are inhumanely and unreasonably aggressive to the extent that they find pleasure in violating the rights of ordinary South Africans, including the right to life.
The union said they would support all Student Representatives Council’s (SRCs) engaged in protest action.
They sent Nzimande a letter, demanding he answer them by 5pm Friday.
“Should Minister Blade Ndzimande fail to respond positively to the list of demands, SRCs have given SAUS a clear mandate to engage with SAVETSA (Union representing TVET colleges) and all student political formations in preparation for rolling mass actions and a National Shutdown of all higher education institutions from Monday 15 March,” they said.
Nzimande acknowledged receipt of the letter on Thursday when he addressed a press briefing on the latest Cabinet meeting outcomes.
