Angry South African Students Try to Pull Down Fence at Zuma Offices
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Thousands of angry South African students protesting plans to raise fees next year tried to pull down a fence surrounding government buildings housing President Zuma's offices on Friday.
The students, who chanted slogans, argued with police who had earlier set up guard ahead of a scheduled address by Zuma.
"He's not taking us seriously, we've been here for a while," one student said live on television, Reuters reported.
Zuma is set to meet student leaders and professors Friday in an effort to quell the growing protests.
"It is important that we work together to find solutions," he said in a statement. "Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion."
Zuma said fees are determined by universities independently, but he's looking forward to hearing the students' concerns.
Protests have raged since Monday, with demonstrators barricading entrances to campuses, including the University of Cape Town and University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
More than a dozen universities are shut down because of the protests. Students are using the hashtag #FeesMustFall to rally on social media.