Saptu backs student protests

The South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union has voiced its support of students protesting proposed fee increases.

|||

Johannesburg - The South African Parastatal and Tertiary Institutions Union (Saptu) has voiced its support of students engaged in protest action against proposed increases in student fees.

The union is affiliated the Federation of Unions of SA.

“Due to the prevailing situation in the country, the proposed increase in students fees will have a devastating effect on students from poor households, resulting in the evident exclusion from further studies at universities,” Saptu general secretary, Ben van der Walt said.

“It is certainly not in South Africa's best interest, that students be excluded from completing their studies or enter Universities to obtain the necessary skills to make South Africa a competitive country.”

It called on students not to destroy university property.

It supported the meeting currently being held between President Jacob Zuma and university vice chancellors and student organisations, saying it should lead to finding practical and progressive solutions to the impasse.

Labour Bureau

* E-mail your opinion to IOLletters@inl.co.za and we will consider it for publication or use our Facebook and Twitter pages to comment on our stories. See links below.