The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) on Wednesday suspended all “lectures and academic activities…for one day only…in the interests of protecting the safety and security of staff and students”.

The institution issued a statement saying the suspension followed “a sit-in by groups of students and student leaders who initially prevented staff and students from entering campus and who disrupted some academic activities this morning”.

“Aside from one altercation this morning and the vandalisation of some classes overnight‚ no violence has been reported‚” the statement said.

Wits described the student strike about the high cost of tertiary education as an “unofficial protest”.

The protest trended on Twitter in the hashtag #WitsFeesMustFall‚ with users divided on the issue.

Andrea Jekkels ?@andreajekkels said: “This fee increase is so ridiculous I stand together in this fight against the increase #WitsFeesMustFall”‚ while Tebogo Mphane ?@tebogomphane weighed in with: “Non-Wits student in full support of #WitsFeesMustFall”.

Many‚ however‚ questioned the timing of the student strike.

Kagiso Rampou ?@Kagiso–Pou asked: “Strategies and Tactics RT@aneh–leh: Why do students always conveniently strike right before exams? #WitsFeesMustFall”‚ as did OG Mapakisha;) @Fleur–Inconnue: “I’m all for #WitsFeesMustFall and so on but the reality is that we have exams in three weeks...The timing is just so off.”

MensHallsOfResidence ?@MensResRaider understood the doubters’ concerns‚ but encouraged them to look to the future: “We know we have exams to study for but what is the use if you won’t afford returning to wits next year?? #ShutDownWits #WitsFeesMustFall”.

Wits’ statement on Wednesday said the protest violates the university’s “protest policy…and student rules”.

“While the university recognises that students have a right to protest this cannot happen at the expense of the rights of students and staff members to learn and work in a safe environment‚” it said.

“Wits will take the necessary action in line with our policies and procedures to create an environment that allows teaching and learning to continue.”

The protest comes just days after President Jacob Zuma’s establishment of “a task team to address funding challenges at tertiary institutions” on Monday got the nod from Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.

Zuma’s announcement followed what the Presidency described as a “very fruitful and historical meeting with vice-chancellors and the leadership of all universities in South Africa” last week.

The task team would‚ the Presidency said‚ be “made up of officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training‚ the Presidency‚ the National Student Financial Aid Scheme‚ two vice-chancellors representing the leadership of universities‚ two student representatives as well as other higher education stakeholders‚ to explore solutions to short-term student funding challenges”.

Portfolio committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said on Monday that the task team would also address the violence that has spread to many campuses in the country.

Zuma last week pleaded: “While these processes are underway‚ students need to be brought on board for frank and honest discussions so as to ensure that they do not resort to violence and destruction of property‚ which can only lead to their further suffering and deprivation.”