“Media reports with regards to university fee increases for 2017” prompted the Presidency to issue a statement saying “consultations within government and with stakeholders in the higher education sector are still taking place”.

It was unclear what reports the Presidency was referring to‚ but two groups – the South African Students’ Congress (Sasco) and the South African Union of Students (SAUS) – last week threatened to shut down tertiary education institutions if fee increases are implemented.

“To find long-term solutions‚ President (Jacob) Zuma appointed the Commission of Inquiry led by Judge Heher to look into the funding of higher education and training‚” the Presidency said.

A number of student groups recently announced that they would pull out of this process.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions threw its weight behind the students‚ saying “there shall be no discussion about fee increments by universities” until the final report of the Fees Commission has been tabled.

“In the absence of such a report‚ there shall be no discussion about fee increment by universities‚” the union federation said.

“Consultations within government and with stakeholders in the higher education sector are still taking place as announced by the Minister of Higher Education and Training‚ Dr Bonginkosi Nzimande‚” the Presidency said.

“An announcement will only be made once the process has been completed.” – TMG Digital