<div dir="ltr"><h2>S. African minister calls for end to university protests</h2>
<div class="">Mar 01,2016</div>
<div class="">
<p>JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- South African Minister
of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande on Monday urged
university students to end protests and return to class.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>This came after Nzimande met with Police Minister Nathi Nhleko at
the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg to discuss the role of
police during student protests.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>The meeting was at one time disrupted when students shouted
"Blade Must Fall" and threatened to set university buildings on fire.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>The two ministers were briefed by university management about the current unrest on university campuses.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>According to Nzimande, there was a small group that wanted to impose its views through violence.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>He said the involvement of security police was not their first choice, but he had a duty to protect university property.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>The police would assess the situation at universities before
outlining each department's next move to contain the unrest at
universities, Nhleko said after the meeting.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>"We will basically conduct a review and take stock of what the
situation overall has been and what currently obtains, and how we need
to find a way of enforcing the law and re-cultivating the rule of law at
our universities," he told students.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>Last week, protests erupted at several universities in South
Africa for reasons ranging from language policy and high tuition fees to
accommodation shortage and outsourcing.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>During the protests, students burnt buildings and destroyed
public properties. At the University of Free State, the protest led to
racial tension when black students clashed with white students.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>Academic activities have been suspended indefinitely at a number of universities and might resume after three months.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>Meanwhile, several students at the University of Pretoria have
expressed concern with the heavy presence of security on campus as
lectures resumed on Monday, following protests over its language policy.
</p><p>
</p><p>
</p><p>Last year, major universities across the country were also affected by student protests over rising tuition fees.</p>
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