Students from Western Cape campuses gathered for the #NationalShutDown mass march which ended at parliament.

The students, who are fighting proposed fee increases across their respective campuses, marched to parliament just as Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene was giving his mid-term budget speech.

The students were outside of parliament chanting struggle songs and burning tyres, demanding to speak to the Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande face to face.

Some students moved to one of parliament’s entrances so they could block MPs from going in and out.

Eventually, a group of protesters ran through the police into the gates of parliament singing, “Blade must fall”.

The police responded by firing stun grenades, rubber bullets and teargas to disperse the crowds. Nzimande eventually came out to address the protesters, but the crowd overpowered him with heckles.

Over six students were arrested, among them were Frank Chikane’s son, Kgotsi Chikane, and student leader Chumani Maxwele.

Check out more images on our Facebook page. #FeesMustFall

Images by Bulumko Gana

Live from Parliament casts a youth lens on parliament and government, covering committees, policy-making, MPs, and the sitting of actual Parliament. Our team of youth journalists report Live from Parliament every week in partnership with the People’s Assembly and Making All Voices Count.

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