WITS STUDENTS ENRAGED BY THE FEE HIKE.

The decision made by the Wits University to hike fees by 10,5% for next year sent students in a rage on Wednesday. This brought registration fee to R9 900. The country has ironically the best economy amongst other Southern African countries yet the institute has decided to take this move in a bid to continue sustainability since the state funding to universities is declining.

All academic activities came to a halt due to the protest that was ongoing at the main campus in Johannesburg. According to stats on social media where the students continued with the protests, 2000 people participated and some lecturers even joined in.

Students complained of the tuition money they paid already and were crying foul of the increament. they even took to social media where they were protesting under the hashtag #WitsFeesMustFall.

Economically challenged students expressed their concern that they were the ones suffering the most and from the look of things only the rich seemed to be academically deserving. Those under bursary also complained that they felt the pressure because they are supposed to top up money, which they do not have.

Wits Students protesting

One student who was removed from the Students Representatives Committee ( SRC) highlighted that the protest was not a one day thing but would continue till the management announced that the fee had been backtracked.

Those who showed no interest in the protests were blocked from leaving the premises.

Management said they were mindful of the economic challenges most people were facing but they have an academic project as their priority.

Like most Southern African universities, the authorities turned to the police to 'turn out the fumes' as the protests were still on as the day proceeded.

Furious students

Similar cases have been recorded in the past at the National University of Science and Technology in 2013 and University of Zimbabwe earlier this year. Students had to be threatened by the police so as to stop their protests.

The ailing economic situations are forcing students who come from not so well up families to feel the pressure and some dropping out of these institutions or going somewhere cheaper.