Witwatersrand University (Wits) announced on Wednesday that a group of students had launched an urgent application to interdict the examinations from proceeding.

For the past six weeks thousands of students have abandoned classes – with end of year exams looming – and have instead joined protests to demand free higher education.

Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said the matter was heard in the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday and judgement is expected to be handed down on Thursday.

“The University confirms that examinations will continue as scheduled,” Patel said.

“The University has informed individuals who have good reason not to sit for an examination, that the individuals can apply for a deferred examination.”

The group of students want exams to be deferred to next year, or postponed for two weeks. The exams due to start on Thursday.

The #FeesMustFall campaign has been marred by violence, injuries and destruction of property during running battles between the protesting students and police.

During his medium term budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said government would allocate an additional R17.6 billion to fund higher education over the next three years to 2019. This follows a R5.6 billion added to university subsidies to fund the zero percent fee increase for the 2016 academic year.

He said Treasury had forecast that spending on post-school education and training would have increased by 9.2 percent by 2019, placing it second only after costs of servicing government debt.

South Africa Today – South Africa News