A day after South African police shot dead Mthokozisi Ntumba during student protests, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said his government would not abandon the students for seeking scholarships and additional admissions at the country’s prestigious University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
The president said the circumstances that led to Ntumba’s death would be thoroughly investigated and the law would take its course.
The deceased, aged 35, was on his way from receiving medical attention when he was allegedly caught in a crossfire when police shot at the students while chasing them from a street near the university on Wednesday.
Commenting on the students’ protests when he addressed the National House of Traditional Leaders (Chiefs) in Parliament in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said his government would “not abandon our students.”
“We will fund their education because it is their right,” he said.
He added: “Our government, as much as we are facing enormous difficulties and challenges, will continue to find solutions because funding education is an investment.”
Although his government was faced with enormous challenges and difficulties, the president said education was its top priority and was working towards finding a sustainable solution to the students’ funding woes.
Meanwhile, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has announced that the South African cabinet had recommended that funding of his ministries’ activities this year should be reprioritised to ensure that all qualified university students receive state scholarships for the 2021 academic year.
Commenting on the students’ protests when he addressed the National House of Traditional Leaders (Chiefs) in Parliament in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said his government would “not abandon our students.”
“We will fund their education because it is their right,” he said.
He added: “Our government, as much as we are facing enormous difficulties and challenges, will continue to find solutions because funding education is an investment.”
He said the circumstances that led to Ntumba’s death would be thoroughly investigated and the law would take its course.
The deceased, aged 35, was on his way from receiving medical attention when he was allegedly caught in a crossfire when police shot at the students while chasing them from a street near the university on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande has announced that the South African cabinet had recommended that funding of his ministries’ activities this year should be reprioritised to ensure that all qualified university students receive state scholarships for the 2021 academic year.
NM/jn/APA