The Commission strongly supports the right to access higher education and it supports the actions of students to resort to peaceful protest in expressing their grievances. The importance of access to further education cannot be overestimated. The Commission is, however, gravely concerned that violence is increasingly being regarded as the preferred method of getting the message across during protests, instead of parties expressing their dissatisfaction and differences in a peaceful manner.  

The Commission will hold an exploratory meeting with all relevant stakeholders to discuss this recurring issue of violent student protests at the beginning of each academic year. The purpose of the engagement is to explore solutions to the problem and determine the potential role that the Commission can play in facilitating a lasting solution to the problem.

The details of the meeting are as follows:
Date: 17 August 2023
Time 09:00 to 13:00
Venue: 1st Floor, JD House, 27 Stiemens Street (NPM Training Centre)
Ends
For further information or enquiries, please contact: SAHRC Senior Legal Officer, Kelly-Anne Cleophas on 011 877 3763 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Bongiwe Gumede (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) on 011 877 3600.