Stellenbosch University (SU) students are planning a protest against a proposed 11.5% fee increase, the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) said on Friday. This comes days after similar action began at Wits University.

“The SRC is fully aware that a decrease in the national subsidy to all universities resulted in this required increase and will call on government to review their funding scheme to universities,” spokesperson James de Villiers said in a statement.

The SRC said the university could do more to moderate the increase and to relieve pressure on students.

University spokesperson Susan van der Merwe said SU management would provide the SRC with a written explanation why the fee increase was essential. This was in addition to meetings and discussions that had already been held.

Martin Viljoen, who is also a university spokesperson, said the council would approve the final increase in November.

De Villiers said the SRC had rejected the increase on Thursday. It called on the institution to bring its fee hike in line with inflation, which was currently at 4.6%.

Students intended staging a protest against the increase next Wednesday. Another meeting to try to resolve the matter would be held on Tuesday.

Students at Wits University began protesting against a 10.6% hike in fees on Wednesday. Protesters stopped students and staff from entering or leaving the campus, resulting in lectures being suspended. News24