The university of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has completed its lecture schedule, despite student protests, Vice Chancellor Adam Habib said in a voice note on social media on Friday.

"It’s amazing, but we have completed the lecture schedule for the 2016 academic year.”

He said the completion of the lecture schedule was an achievement and applauded students and staff who had continued with classes, despite violence and disruptions.

The final step would be to make sure exams were completed.

"That is going to require the university community coming together, but hopefully as we come together we can conclude the 2016 academic year."

Wits would continue supporting the goal for free education, but this struggle did not require the abandonment of the 2016 academic year.

Students on campuses around the country began a fresh round of protests on September 19, after Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said universities could determine their own increases for 2017, capped at 8%.

Students from households earning below R600 000 per annum would be exempt from paying the increase.