TWENTY-FIVE University of Zululand students arrested during violent protests on campus more than a week ago, were released from police custody on Friday.
The group appeared before the Mtunzini Magistrate’s Court and released on R500 bail each.
They were charged with malicious damage to property.
An angry mob went on the rampage and vandalised the institution’s property during the protest.
The chaos started when students took to the streets and demanded quick response from management on certain issues outlined in a memorandum.
These included student funding, understaffed dining and overcrowded lecture halls, lack of maintenance in residences, safety and security off campus, poor service at various centres, a vacuum at management level and a lack of student leadership.
The university was subsequently shut down on 15 April when order could not be restored.
By Friday afternoon the dust seemed to have settled after the student leadership and university Council reportedly reached an understanding in a closed meeting.
‘We are in a process of reopening the university so that students can go back to their residences. Student leadership and management reached an agreement and we hope everything will now return to normal,’ said Unizulu Sadesmo President, Sbonakaliso Sithole.
Unizulu Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Xoliswa Mtose, confirmed that lectures would commence tomorrow (Tuesday).
‘The suspension of student accommodation was lifted with effect from Friday.
