Councillor meets with UKZN over noisy students

A MEETING to discuss complaints of noise and unruly behaviour at UKZN’s Camden residence was held on Monday between Councillor Mmbatho Tembe, HOD of housing for the Medical School and Howard College, Sifundo Nkosi as well as the residence assistance (RA) officer, building supervisor, security officer and housing committee representatives.

Nkosi said the house committee and RA were in place to help maintain discipline in the building. He said they had met with residents over the years to discuss complaints but that each year presented a new challenge with new students on the property. “We have to speak to them about their behaviour, and some of the students who have lived there for a while start to behave badly as they get older. If any students misbehave, they are reported through the RA and undergo a disciplinary hearing,” he said.

Nkosi said one of the issues brought up by residents were the buses dropping off students, especially at night.

“Students said crime at night was a concern for them and that street lights outside the building needed to be fixed. We have discussed the safety issue of our students with residents and we have told students they need to report crime and should have someone to escort them to the building if it is late,” he said.

In response to complaints by residents regarding students making excessive noise and urinating from the balconies, he said this behaviour was not justified. Nkosi also mentioned people who parked their vehicles in the street outside the property, and held boot parties. “Excessive noise and drinking outside the property is not justified. The RA and house committee must report this,” he said.

Councillor Tembe said the situation was one councillors in the ward had been dealing with for years. She said it was the responsibility of the students and leadership at the residence to keep everyone in check. She questioned the security and whether extra back-up was needed from Metro Police and Nkosi agreed with this, saying he would also approach the owner of the building regarding a biometric system at the entrance to keep people who aren’t meant to be there out.

Sanele Zondi from the house committee said he felt the ‘other side of the story’ needed to be discussed. He said some students at the residence, such as music and drama students, did need to play music for their studies, which could carry to the surrounding neighbours. He said the issue of boot parties was a sensitive one, adding that the people having boot parties were not students at the hostel. When the house committee had approached them, they had been treated with aggression.

“The gates at Camden close at 11pm and what happens outside is not our problem. The party which residents complained about was an awards event and braai. Neighbours were given written notice regarding this event. We understand the concerns, but we also request neighbours to treat us with respect as we are adults and have to deal with them being rude and condescending because we are just students. We are trying our best to work with the community around us,” he said.