University of Cape Town (UCT) and Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) students have descended on the UCT campus to hold a mass meeting regarding the release of the Fees Commission Report and a 0% fee increase for the 2018 academic year. Several disruptions were noted at the UCT campus but it remained open. A mass march to Parliament to hand over a memorandum for the release of the report is due to take place this afternoon. Demands included:
1. 0% fee increment at UCT to be pronounced by an emergency council sitting
2. The immediate release of the the fees commission report
3. An emergency institutional commission of inquiry unto all the deaths of students over the past 2-5 years that relate to suicide
4. Substantial financial report on expenditure on paramilitary services in the campus over the past two years
5. Clearance of the Historical Debt for the year 2017 and no financial barriers to registration for the year 2018
6. Draft framework that will address the residence and housing intake for the year 2018 for students who do not get residence offers, particularly those in first year and those who have been denied residence for the next year.
 UPDATES:
Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize has appealed for restraint to allow exams to continue. Mkhize says they are pleading that exams be written.
“With all the difficulties, we are pleading that exams must be written. Not writing exams means students are throwing away all the hard work they invested throughout the year,” Mkhize said.
She says the issue of funding is a priority. “I am hoping to get access to it ASAP because it helps to engage knowing which way things are going,” Mkhize said.
“We call for restraint from all so that campuses remain a conducive environment for learning,” she said.

Featured image Shaun Swingler on Twitter

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