Students’ violent protest at UKZN
A number of vehicles were also stoned and some facilities' vehicles were set alight.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Westville campus experienced violent protest action from students late last night (13 September) and this morning, 14 September.
Protesters caused severe damage to property, which included smashing windows and glass doors and setting fire to the A Block admin building. A number of vehicles were also stoned and some facilities’ vehicles were set alight. They also obstructed some campus entrance gates.
SAPS, University Risk Management Services and Public Order Policing were present and needed to use teargas and rubber bullets to try control the aggressive students.
“The university is committed to engaging with students to understand the causes of the unrest and address them. At the moment, such issues have not yet been brought to our attention,” said Lesiba Seshoka, executive director of the corporate relations division at UKZN.
“We urge all students to adhere to the university rules, regulations and applicable protocols in dealing with grievances, complaints and matters of concern. Students who engage in illegal activities or act outside of the set processes and procedures for raising grievances will face the full might of the law.
“We will endeavour to ensure the safety and security of all staff and students at all times. Every effort will be made to recover lost time and academic activities will be rescheduled.”
University management made a decision to suspend all academic activities on the Westville campus on 14 and 15 September and hopes that full academic activity will resume at the Westville Campus on Wednesday, 16 September. Academic activities will continue at all the other campuses of the university.
