WATCH: Student protest turns chaotic at Union Buildings

While dark clouds of smoke enveloped the protesters, Mahlobo emerged from a high-level meeting, chaired by President Jacob Zuma inside the Union Buildings.

He strode towards the protesters on the lawns, accompanied by deputy higher education Minister Mduduzi Manana and several bodyguards.

They were forced to flee after students threw several objects at them, shouting and making hand signals.

After Mahlobo left, several stun grenades were fired by police officers on scene.

Inside the building, Zuma was engaged in the high-level meeting with key players in the South African education sector.

Several ministers present at the meeting included higher education minister Blade Nzimande, science and technology minister Naledi Pandor, basic education minister Angie Motshekga and social development minister Bathabile Dlamini.

Vice-Chancellors of South African universities and representatives of student formations were already in the room. Some of the student leaders were wearing African National Congress, Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters t-shirts.

The sound of the vocal protesters could be heard in the meeting room.

Students from Soshanguve started throwing bottles over a gate at the Union Building lawns where a podium was erected. The students were expected to be addressed later on Friday. Some students were hitting the fence and others were climbing onto it.

Students at tertiary institutions across South Africa have gone on the rampage, protesting against the proposed fee hikes for 2016.

There was a strong police presence at the Union Buildings as members of the public order policing unit kept a close eye on the thousands of protesters who gathered there. The giant statue of iconic former president Nelson Mandela looked down on them. - ANA