South African president Jacob Zuma has ruled out fee increases for universities after nationwide protests culminated in police firing stun grenades at students outside government buildings.
Thousands of students gathered near the Union Buildings in the capital, Pretoria, where Mr Zuma was due to address the protesters after he met student leaders and university officials.
Protesters tore down sections of a security fence, set fire to portable toilets and hurled bricks at police lines in chaotic scenes.
A few pushed through a cordon before being pushed back by anti-riot police who fired stun grenades, rubber bullets and tear gas at the crowd.
The president did not address the university students because of fears for his safety, state security sources said.
Instead Mr Zuma read a short statement at a televised press briefing.
"We agreed that there will be a zero increase of university fees in 2016," Mr Zuma said.
"Government understands the difficulty faced by students from poor households, and urges all affected to allow the process to unfold to find long-term solutions in order to ensure access to education."
Fees were set to rise up to 10 per cent next year, with a general Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Cape Town (UCT) currently costing 46,000 rand ($4,700).
Universities around the country have been closed over the last week as students protested against the proposed fee rises, which they said would mean poorer black youths would be unable to study for degrees.
The issue of education fees has ignited widespread frustration in South Africa over a lack of opportunities for young people since the end of apartheid, worsened by a weakening economy and high unemployment.
Many students said they would continue protesting even after Mr Zuma's announcement on Friday.
"The government thinks we are playing, they think it's because we want to run away from school," said Kgotsi Genge, a 22-year-old student at the University of Pretoria.
"But we will keep fighting. South Africa needs to invest more in education. This movement is because we are being oppressed."
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