September, 29 2016.
For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Madiba.

Making headlines:
Students encouraged to participate in Wits University shutdown poll
2nd phase of hearings at the commission of inquiry into higher education kicks off
And, Mashatile warns counsellors over Tshwane council chaos

 

Students at Wits University have been encouraged by the institution to participate in a poll to determine whether its academic programme should resume after a shut-down following protests.

The #WitsPoll will take place on Thursday from 07:00 to 16:00.

Meanwhile students marched to the South African Chamber of Mines to handover a memorandum on Wednesday.

Senior executive Vusi Mabena said the chamber would review the document and respond to it.

Students started protesting last week after Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande announced that universities could increase fees by up to 8%.

 

The Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training will start its second set of public hearings on Thursday in Pretoria.

Commission spokesperson Musa Ndwandwe said the hearings would outline an overview of relevant issues affecting the higher education sector.

The commission was established in January by President Jacob Zuma to examine eight focus areas including South Africa's post school education and training landscape and the current funding of higher education and training institutions.

Student protests have rocked the country since October 2015. Students are demanding free education.

 

Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Paul Mashatile has slammed the chaos that erupted in the Tshwane council, saying he has informed councillors that it should never happen again.

Mashatile briefed the media after meeting with Mayor Solly Msimanga and party members following Tuesday's violent clashes. He said after seeing the chaos he called Msimanga, along with the speaker and party leaders to address the situation.

Mashatile said during the meeting it was agreed that the chamber was for debates and people could argue, agree to disagree but the use of violence or intimidation cannot be allowed.

Tuesday's sitting deteriorated into chaos when the speaker asked the ANC caucus to leave the chamber and members refused to do so. That resulted in a stalemate and the proceedings had to be adjourned for some time. Upon continuation, water bottles and chairs flew in the chamber.

 

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That’s a roundup of news making headlines today