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South African university students arrested over protest South African university students charged with violence
(about 1 hour later)
About 30 people have been arrested in South Africa in the biggest student protests to hit the country since minority rule ended in 1994. Twenty-nine people have been charged with public violence in South Africa following the biggest student protests to hit the country since minority rule ended in 1994.
President Jacob Zuma has agreed to discuss with students their demand for university tuition fee increases to be scrapped.
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades on Wednesday to disperse students who had stormed the parliamentary complex.Police fired tear gas and stun grenades on Wednesday to disperse students who had stormed the parliamentary complex.
The 29 students who appeared in court in Cape Town were not asked to plead.
The protests, sparked by an increase in tuition fees, has forced the closure of South Africa's top universities.
President Jacob Zuma said he would meet student leaders on Friday to discuss their grievances.
The mainly black students say they cannot afford fee increases.The mainly black students say they cannot afford fee increases.
They have rejected a government offer to cap increases at 6%, down from the 10% to 12% proposed by the management of universities.They have rejected a government offer to cap increases at 6%, down from the 10% to 12% proposed by the management of universities.
"Thus far, 30 students have been arrested in regards to the incident outside parliament and they are likely to face charges including trespassing and public violence," police said in a statement. Crowds of students gathered outside the court in support of their colleagues.
Protesters have gathered outside court in the parliamentary capital, Cape Town, to demand the release of the students. The 29 have been released on warning, and the case postponed to February.
Correspondents say the protest shows growing disillusionment with the African National Congress (ANC) government, which took power after minority rule ended.
Many black students say they come from poor families, and fee increases will rob them of the opportunity to continue studying.
Protests began last week at the prestigious University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and have since spread to campuses across the country.Protests began last week at the prestigious University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and have since spread to campuses across the country.
Mr Zuma's office said he would meet student leaders on Friday "to discuss the stalemate with regards to university fee increases". Correspondents say they show growing disillusionment with the African National Congress (ANC) government, which took power after minority rule ended.
"It is important that we work together to find solutions. Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion," he said in a statement. Many black students say they come from poor families, and fee increases will rob them of the opportunity to continue studying.
Mr Zuma's office said he would meet student leaders "to discuss the stalemate with regards to university fee increases".
"It is important that we work together to find solutions. Nobody disagrees with the message that students from poor households are facing financial difficulties and possible exclusion," he said in a statement.