Tuition fee protests shut down another South African institution

South African students protesting against tuition fee hike have disrupted activities at the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, days after similar incidence stalled activities at the Wits University, Johannesburg.

South African students protesting against tuition fee hike have disrupted activities at the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, days after a similar incidenct stalled activities at the Wits University, Johannesburg.

According to reports, a group of students armed with sticks gathered early Monday morning and turned people away from the institution’s Eastern Cape campus.

Rhodes SRC President, Zikisa Maqubela, told South African broadcaster, , that the fees students are expected to pay is unaffordable.

"Students are protesting about the minimum initial payment, which means students are required to pay 50% of the fees," Maqubela said.

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"This means if students live in [residence], they will be required to pay up to R45 000 [approximately N0.7m].

"We cannot pay so much, we just don't have the money."

Following the protests, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Sizwe Mabizela, announced the suspension of all academic activities planned for Monday, the Daily Dispatch reported.

This protest comes only days after a similar students' action forced the management of Johannesburg-based Wits University to suspend the increase in fees pending the outcome of negotiations.

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Students' protests had halted the academic work at the institution.

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