Nzimande concerned about TUT

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has expressed concern over the continued disturbances at universities, which has resulted in the closure of some campuses.

Students at the Tshwane University of Technology's Soshanguve campuses were told to vacate their residences.

The university shut down its two Soshanguve campuses on Monday following weeks of violent protests. Students were given until Tuesday afternoon to leave.

Addressing media on Tuesday in Parliament at an economics cluster briefing, Nzimande said he was worried about what was happening at the two campuses.

The minister said they were engaging with management and other stakeholders to find solutions.

“We are really engaging them and asking them: why can’t they find a solution?”

He said universities should be at the halfway mark for the first semester already. Students were being sent home instead.

“We are really trying our best to make sure that those institutions are back to being functional.”

Nzimande said they welcomed any progress made in resolving the issues.