Academic activities at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) will continued despite a wave of violent clashes between private security guards and protesting students, the institution said on Thursday.

The university said “an overwhelming majority” of students were determined to continue with lectures.

“Attempts at disruption by a very small minority of protesters have been contained, and the university is doing everything possible to ensure that the situation remains safe and secure. UJ is currently operating a strict policy of allowing access to campuses only to those who have legitimate reasons for being there, and a court interdict requiring a notice period for demonstrations remains in force,” the university said.

Vice Chancellor Ihron Rensburg said the “#FeesMustFall” protests would only affect poor students severely.

“That is why we remain clear that this academic year must be completed successfully in the interests of thousands of our students whose families sacrificed to support their studies and who cannot be burdened with having to support their children for an additional year.”

The institution condemned the behaviour of private security guards who were filmed attacking protesters and journalists. The video clips posted on social media show guards charging at protesting students. They are seen assaulting students and journalists covering the protests. The guards also used pepper spray.

A journalist was seen with his head bleeding profusely after guards attacked him at a nearby petrol station.

South Africa’s university campuses have been rocked by protests since last year as students continue to demand free higher education.

An announcement by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande that state universities could raise fees as they determined for 2017.

The announcement of the fees hikes, which Nzimande capped at eight percent, prompted a fresh wave of university student protests. Students demanded a zero percent fee increase until government implemented free higher education.

Lectures have been suspended at most universities as the unrest continues at various state institutions across the country.