Zuma planned to meet student leaders and management

The Presidency has objected to reports blaming the anarchy and violence that took place during the gathering of students at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday on President Jacob Zuma.

The president was criticised in some quarters for not addressing the students as they had requested.

In a statement‚ the Presidency said it had issued a formal advisory to the media indicating that the President would meet student leaders‚ university vice-chancellors and chairpersons of university councils. The meeting took place and at the end‚ the President addressed the nation‚ it said.

“On matters of serious national importance‚ the President addresses the nation. He has done it twice since assumption of office‚ the first to inform the nation of the sad passing of President Nelson Mandela and secondly to release the report of Judge Ian Farlam on the Marikana tragedy‚” the Presidency said.

The Presidency had also issued a formal advisory indicating that the President would address the nation‚ it added.