DUT closes all Durban campuses until further notice
The university has called on all of the relevant law enforcement agencies to assist in calming this potentially dangerous situation.
DURBAN University of Technology (DUT) has closed all five Durban campuses after more than 800 students embarked on a protest demanding for the institution to register students immediately.
A large number of people invaded the Sports Centre on the Steve Biko campus in Durban on Tuesday, 6 April after seeing a “fake” social media post inviting walk-ins to register at DUT.
ALSO READ: Unauthorised walk-in registrations spark protest at DUT
According to the university, they did not invite walk-ins to register on campus.
The Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT, Alan Khan, said following the risk to health, safety and security, the university suspended the on-campus support for online registration yesterday, indefinitely.
However, normal online registration will continue in the manner it has been all along; but without on-campus support.
Simply, the influx of uninvited people on campus continues to violate the Covid-19 protocols.
ALSO READ: 12 DUT students to appear in court after protest
“Overnight, a significant number of people continued to occupy the Sports Centre and refused the request to leave campus. Over the course of this morning, the situation escalated with protestors milling around outside the Steve Biko campus, hurling stones at buildings, damaging university property, barricading public roads, including several attempts to invade more buildings on campus,” said Khan.
The university has called on all of the relevant law enforcement agencies to assist in calming this potentially dangerous situation.
The institution added that all online university functions and activities will continue. This includes online registration for the first time entering (FTEN) students.
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