Violent protests shut down UKZN campuses

THE University of KwaZulu-Natal has taken a decision to suspend lectures and teaching activities on all campuses until Friday, 20 February.

This due to major disruptions on the Westville, Pietermaritzburg and Edgewood campuses following violent protest action by students. Many students are calling for financial aid to be given out to more students who have been unable to register for this new academic year. Protests on the Westville campus have been ongoing since Tuesday, 10 February, and there has been damage to some university property such as bins, windows and gates.

On Friday, 13 February the campus was not accessible to university staff or students who reside outside the campus, which also led to the postponement of the Nedbank orientation week.

The decision to suspend lectures for a week followed a deliberation by the University’s executive management committee.

In a statement released by the university, it advised that registration will continue as normal for this week and all lectures will resume on Monday, 23 February. It is also committed to putting in place plans to recover lost lecture time and implement regulations whereby all students and staff will be expected to display their student or staff cards to gain access to campus, lecture rooms and residences.

The South African Police Services and the University’s risk management services are monitoring the situation.