Bloemfontein - The University of the Free State's SRC president Lindokuhle Ntuli said on Monday students were not drunk when they called for a 0% increment to university fees.
"We were sober when we made the call for a 0% increase. We were not drunk. We made a call because the majority of our black people can't afford to pay fees," Ntuli told a large group of students gathered on campus.
At the time, students at the university had blocked the main gate at the Bloemfontein campus, with vehicles not allowed in or out.
Two police vehicles and one traffic vehicle had also blocked the main entrance.
Motorists were redirected to other university entrances. By 16:30 students marched back into campus.
AS IT HAPPENED: #FeesMustFall – Students angry at Nzimande
By late on Monday night, there was still no access through the main gate.
Earlier on Monday Ntuli announced that campus would be shut down for the entire week.
Hundreds of students sang and danced as they disrupted classes at the university.
"We can't afford higher education and we are undermined by the state [and] the university is also undermining us," said Ntuli.
"We are here because we are poor. We are coming from a very bad history. This place continues to be preserved by white students who can afford fees."
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande announced on Monday that universities could determine their own fee increments for 2017, but they should not exceed 8%.
