Students torch building on UKZN Howard College campus
Dr Letticia Moja, chairperson of the UKZN council, said the unviersity was not willing to make any more concessions to student's demands, specifically regarding financial clearance.
A building was torched at UKZN Howard College on Monday as the stalemate between management and student leaders continued.
Firefighters were called on Monday afternoon to contain the blaze at the HIV Support Centre. The Centre serves to help students in crisis and emotional distress
VIDEO: Student protests flare up at UKZN, UNISA
Parbo Sewpersad, Metro Police spokesperson said there were no injuries or arrests reported, and that police were still investigating.
Earlier today the university’s executive council released a statement responding to some of the student’s demands. Dr Letticia Moja, chairperson of the council, said the unviersity was not willing to make any more concessions to student’s demands, specifically regarding financial clearance.
The university requires all students who are not National Student Financial Aid Scheme beneficiaries to pay 15 per cent of their historic debt before they are cleared for registration. The students have called for this policy to be scrapped.
“We are now without a margin, so meeting the current demands would push the university to bankruptcy,” wrote Moja. “The university cannot concede what it cannot afford.”
The council also said it wouldn’t budge on excluding students for academic reasons, explaining it had to maintain the university’s high standards.
Sfiso Simelane, Student Representative Council central president, rejected the council’s positions.
“As UKZN SRC, we would like to reaffirm all students that UKZN will remain shut down until the demands of the SRC are met,” he said.
The student leadership went on to accuse the university of priding itself in excluding students.
Lectures at UKZN are expected to commence on 7 February.
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