A video of Higher Education minister Blade Nzimande joking that government will start its own movement against protesting students, has caused upset online.<\/p>\n
The video went viral on social media amid a fourth day of student protests across the country, with university students fighting against increased tuition fees, and the “colonised structures” of higher education in the country.<\/p>\n
According to eNCA, which broadcast the video, Nzimande’s statements were made in jest, prior a press briefing on Wednesday (21 October).<\/p>\n
In the video, Nzimande quips “If the students don’t accept this (government’s position), we will start a movement of our own: Students must fall”.<\/p>\n
However, the minister’s laughter has rubbed students up the wrong way – clearly not in a joking mood, following a peaceful protest outside parliament which was met with a disproportionately violent response from the South African Police Service (SAPS).<\/p>\n
His comment caused the #StudentsMustFall tag to trend on Twitter, where much of the student movement has played out – along with the tag #BladeMustFall, and calls for the minister to be fired.<\/p>\n