JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday condemned the destruction of university property and the intimidation and harassment of university leaders as part of student activism over free university education.
The burning of books and university infrastructure "is reprehensible and has no connection to the calls for free education for the poor", the ANC said as violence re-erupted in some institutions of higher learning over possible fee rises in the country.
Calling the move "a symbolic act of anti-intellectualism", the party said attacking university property and harassing university leaders "is illegal and a crime".
The ANC calls on students and staff at all universities to reject violence and to ensure the Fee Commission completes its work timeously, said Naledi Pandor, Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Education and Health under the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC).
"We call on university authorities to be vigilant and call on students to protest lawfully and to direct their activism through appropriate university and political structures," Pandor said.
"We urge the government to determine a solution that ensures those who can afford to pay fees do so and those who do not have the financial means are supported by state resources," she added.
Also on Wednesday, the government voiced concern over media reports on the resurgence of violent protests in some institutions of higher learning.
"As government, we would like to assure South Africans that the matter of student fees is receiving our full attention. We are working together with all parties concerned to find a lasting solution," said Donald Liphoko, spokesperson for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
President Jacob Zuma has instructed finance minister as well as higher education minister to find money for another zero-percent fee increase for 2017.
Last month, the National Treasury told the Fee Commission of Inquiry, looking into the feasibility of free tertiary education, that a zero-percent fee increment for 2017 was not budgeted for.
The Council on Higher Education has proposed that institutions increase their fees by six percent for the 2017 academic year.
Students, however, have threatened to disrupt institutions of higher learning if their demand for zero fee increase is not met.
