DURBAN University of Technology has confirmed a student has been killed in protest action at its Steve Biko campus this afternoon.
As a result, the academic programme at DUT has been suspended.
According to unconfirmed reports, students were involved in a scuffle between campus security officers when students tried to enter a building on the campus and security officers opened fire on them.
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One student was shot and rushed to hospital where he later died.
Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT said the student died while receiving medical attention at the City Hospital in Durban.
At this stage the identity of the student has not been released.
Khan said the cause of death and details of the incident are not clear and the matter is still subject to a preliminary investigation by police officials.
“The university is saddened by this unfortunate incident and due to the sensitivity of this incident the university cannot divulge further details at this stage. DUT sends its deepest sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”
“We plead that the family and the University be offered the opportunity to grieve the passing of the student. As a result of this tragic incident and many other violent altercations the university management has decided to close the university until further notice,” he said, adding that further communication would follow as soon as more details were available.
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