Armed police monitor striking students

THE scene at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus initially seemed peaceful when it was reported that striking students were throwing stones at vehicles on Richmond Road in Pinetown at approximately 8.30am, this morning (12 February).
Students were casually walking into the campus, laughing and joking. The only glimpse into the unrest was the several police vans parked near the Mariannhill Road entrance and the heavily armed policemen waiting on stand by.

Further into the campus, at approximately 9.10am, the striking students were protesting via song and dance in a parking lot near the library. The students reported that they were striking because some had not been able register as they have not been financially cleared and some had not received their bursaries. They also reported that about 200 students had been chased out of their residences due to previously mentioned financial issues.

One striking student, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We are tired of the corruption. We have all been accepted, but many of us are unable to register. If the university is not able to facilitate us why did they accept us? Many students have travelled far to study here, only to be faced with many setbacks.”

Another student insisted that the protests have been peaceful. “We have not vandalised anything, nor have we hurt anyone, but the police have shot at some of us with rubber bullets and have chased us into bushes and gutters,” she said.

At approximately 9.30am, the mood changed as the protesters began marching through the main building, forcing students out of lecture halls. Campus security and the SAPS subsequently began evacuating the building. Several non-striking students refused to comment on the strike. One student said, “I am afraid to comment. If they see me giving you any information I am dead.”

Another student commented on the condition that she remain anonymous. “We are most definitely scared, and we feel threatened by the heavily armed police that are patrolling on campus. We feel like they are primarily here to protect the facilities, rather than the students,” she said.

The student also reported that they were informed via Facebook that the lectures would continue as normal, despite the striking, but they found that most lectures have been cancelled. “Most of the students have not pitched for the classes. We are experiencing so much confusion and frustration, while we put our lives in danger. The least the SRC can do is tell us what is going on,” she said.

Authorities and university officials on scene refused to comment. Updates to follow.