Six vehicles have been torched in riots at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with over 200 students taking part in the protests. This in turn led to police and security tear gassing the students and a nearby shopping centre; as well as firing rubber bullets.
Advertisement
Roads around the campus were closed by the police after reports that the students were stoning cars. There were also protests during the day at the university’s Pietermaritzburg and Howard College campuses earlier on Monday during the day. They also blocked the road.
University spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said in a statement released earlier on Monday that protests had been dispersed by university security, police and the police’s public order policing units.
“Students are urged to follow established protocols and raise any issue of concern with their respective SRC representatives. The university is committed to engaging with students to address their grievances”, he said.
UKZN says the protests were initially sparked by possible fee increments for the next academic year, but students then added another list of demands, which the university says it can not meet.
“The situation on some of the UKZN campuses has become untenable and unfortunately we have no choice but to suspend the academic programme”, said vice-chancellor and principal, Dr Albert van Jaarsveld.
Students have said they will not entertain any increase in fees.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, UKZN says due to protest action by a number of students, it has suspended all academic activities until further notice.
