Six arrested in campus violence
The University of KZN responds to claims of students being harassed by security, which was captured on video last week.
PROTESTING students and workers briefly halted academic activities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Howard College, Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg campuses last week. The issue of outsourcing service providers saw students standing in solidarity with workers which led to four students and two former workers of the outsourced service providers being arrested and charged with public violence.
Lesiba Seshoka, executive director of the university's Corporate Relations Division, explained that illegal protest action continued on UKZN campuses last week with a number of students joining the action on the Howard College Campus on 17 February.
“The protestors were being closely monitored by the University’s Risk Management Services, who were actively supported by Mi7, SAPS and Metro Police. It has come to the university management’s attention that some members of the student community were deliberately inciting the workers of outsourced service providers on our campuses, despite the issue of in-sourcing and/or outsourcing being prioritised by the executive management and task team,” she said.
Seshoka said some members of the student leadership on the Howard College Campus actively participated in violent protest action on 17 February causing temporary disruption to the academic programme and endangered members of the university community.
“The said this behaviour was contrary to the university’s code of conduct and was in violation of a current high court order. As a result, four students and two former members of the outsourced service providers were arrested and charged with public violence. They were subsequently released on bail,” she said.
A video showing security officers allegedly man-handling students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College campus last week was posted on social media.
Seshoka said the recording placed on social media amid the tense climate within the tertiary education space was noted. “It implores one to question the authenticity of the said video. We reserve the right to take appropriate action on any student or person who is in breach of the Court Order,” she said.
Illegal protest action continued on the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College, Westville, Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg Campuses on Monday and were monitored by the University’s Risk Management Services, private security and law enforcement agencies.
Protestors were dispersed by the afternoon and academic activities continued on the Westville, Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
“University management has engaged the protesting workers of outsourced service providers, students, and labour representatives with the aim of resolving the current impasse,” said Seshoke.
