UKZN students set beds alight to protest living conditions
A case of vandalism and damage to property has been opened with the Pinetown SAPS.
UKZN Edgewood campus students, who reside at a student accommodation in Pinetown, started a fire this morning to protest what they have called ‘bad living conditions’.
The student and SRC members set alight mattresses and some furniture in a courtyard on Kings Road in Pinetown.
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According to a SRC member, who wished to remain anonymous, the students have been complaining about certain ‘unfair’ living conditions since last year.
“There are not enough stoves to accommodate all of the students, the toilet paper that they claim is two-ply is cheap and thin, the Wi-Fi doesn’t always work and the showers need to be fixed,” he said.
Pictures of the fire went viral on social media and the Ward 18 councillor, Melanie Brauteseth went to inspect.
According to Brauteseth, who was on scene, the students went on a rampage and vandalised their accommodation, citing grievances with the management of the building.
“The students set alight mattresses in the entrance to the building. The fire was doused and SAPS were called to the scene,” she said.
Cllr Brauteseth said there was already engagement between the students and a member of management, who advised that a list of grievances had been received, and was being worked on, when the protest broke out.
Cllr Brauteseth confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities. A case of vandalism and damage to property has been opened at Pinetown SAPS.
The Highway Mail is waiting on comment from SAPS, the building management and UKZN.
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