12 UKZN students held in campus clashes

VIOLENT clashes between students, police and private security guards erupted at UKZN yesterday, resulting in the arrest of 12 students. The university’s Westville campus was thronged with protesters and security members, who appeared to be armed with paintball guns.

Police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said about 400 students had gathered on campus and blockaded access roads with furniture: “They … (also) threw bottles at police officers, damaged the university furniture and doors, and also set alight two guard houses.”

Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowd. Gwala said the arrested students would appear at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court next week and police were still monitoring the situation.

The university announced earlier this week that the campus would be shut down for the week to allow student leaders to negotiate, through the SRC, with management.

Chief among the students’ grievances were poor living conditions at residences, transport timetables, issues with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, academic exclusion and poor wi-fi speeds.

Last night, UKZN’s acting executive director of the corporate relations division, Normah Zondo, said the situation was calm on campus, but the academic programme had been suspended: “This after a group of students barricaded roads, damaged property and disrupted lectures. University Risk Management Services and SAPS assisted in dispersing the protesters. The university is assessing the damage.”

Zondo said the university management would continue to engage with student leadership in an effort to resolve the students’ concerns.