South African students rally for free education; 10 arrests

Students chant and sing at the University of Cape town as they protest for free education in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Protesters also blocked entrances at the University of Cape Town, which has suspended classes on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the unrest. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) (The Associated Press)

Students sing during their protest for free education in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. South African university students who want free education are protesting on several campuses, and police have arrested at least 10 students who blocked an entrance at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) (The Associated Press)

Students gather at the University of Cape town as they protest for free education in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Protesters also blocked entrances at the University of Cape Town, which has suspended classes on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the unrest. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam) (The Associated Press)

South African university students who want free education are protesting on several campuses, and police have arrested at least 10 students who blocked an entrance at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

Protesters also blocked entrances at the University of Cape Town, which has suspended classes on Tuesday and Wednesday because of the unrest. Hundreds of students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal marched in the city of Pietermaritzburg.

The students are reacting to a South African government announcement that universities can increase fees by up to 8 percent next year. The government has also promised to pay about $180 million to cover the costs of poor students.

The protesters want free education for all students. In 2015, the government froze university fees for this year after big protests.