Protests seen as coup bid

THE ANC-LED alliance believes that the #FeesMustFall protests have become an attempt to overthrow the government.

This emerged in a joint statement that was released on Wednesday by the ANC, Cosatu, the SACP and the South African National Civic Organisation in KwaZulu-Natal.

“It is our considered view that a genuine struggle has been hijacked by forces whose sole purpose is to deligitimise the state and cause a regime change,” they said.

The four organisations condemned the violence that had accompanied the protests.

They said that while they agreed with the aim of free education, violence should not be the means of obtaining it.

“We strongly condemn the destruction of property and criminality which has accompanied the struggle for free and quality education for the poor.”

They pledged to work with students, parents, business, religious leaders and others in a bid to bring stability to university campuses. – ANA