The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has condemned the actions of students who disrupted a sitting of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training (the Fees Commission) in Cape Town on Tuesday.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Connie September, said when university matters are dealt with, stakeholders should do so in a manner that will bring about solutions. “We should not tolerate a situation where the Commission is being stopped and muddied by acts of violence. There would not be a proper outcome if the Commissioners work under threats,” Ms September said.
The Fees Commission sitting in Cape Town’s Centre for the Book was disrupted by student activists who sought to block the participation of the University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor, Prof Max Price. The Commission, set up by President Jacob Zuma following last year’s Fees Must Fall protests, is travelling the country to look into the feasibility of free higher education in the country.
Ms September said the Committee cannot accept what happened in the hearings and asked the department to provide feedback on how the Commission will continue to do its work.
She called on all stakeholders to assist in dealing with the process and said it need not be met with violence and threats. “The Committee needs to get assurances on what has been done to make sure that steps are being taken going forward.”
Deputy Minister Mr Mduduzi Masina said the Committee’s view will be communicated to the Presidency, as the Commission was a Presidential Commission.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
