STUDENTS arrested during the riot at the University of Zululand last week, were released from holding cells.
They were detained after their protest about registration turned violent on Wednesday and Thursday.
Demanding registration on various courses and levels, they forced entry and destroyed the chapel’s glass doors and windows, yanked out gates and blocked roads with garden benches.
The western residential block’s windows were also shattered, and the security main booth was set on fire.
Owing to lack of financial services, they were reported to have missed their registration deadline.
Police utilised rubber bullets and a water cannon to dissipate the aggressive crowd.
UMthunzini SAPS spokesperson Lt Sbusiso Guma told the Zululand Observer on Tuesday that police were still deployed at the institution to maintain peace .
‘We will still be watching the place to avoid any violent behaviour in the institution,’ he said.
Unizulu Director of Communications Normah Zondo released a statement on Tuesday that the university was running smoothly with no interruptions.
‘The situation at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is back to normal and lectures resumed on Monday, 24 February.
‘Regarding students that were arrested and released, the University will apply all the procedures and processes of student discipline to deal with perpetrators of violence on campus,’ Zondo said.
24 FEBRUARY 2014
Students protest turned violent
THE University of Zululand resembled a war zone last week when a student protest became a riot.
Armed police and university security were deployed to calm the rampage and used rubber bullets, a water cannon and tear gas to dissipate the aggressive crowd.
Angry students, adamant to register on various courses, forced entry and destroyed the chapel’s windows and doors, yanked out gates and used garden benches to block roads.
The west residential buildings and dining hall area were also wrecked and the Bidvest security booth was set on fire, leading to campus security fleeing the scene.
Due to lack of financial services, students were reported to have missed their registration deadline of 12 February.
‘I am a senior student, but had difficulties with my finances. Now the registration has been closed and I don’t know what to do. It’s even more difficult now to come in, because I don’t have a student card yet and the new security company now checks for cards.
‘How do they expect me to have a student card without being registered?’ said female student Mbali Khuzwayo.
On Thursday, a notice was issued, stating that by 6pm students were prohibited from being on university grounds.
On Friday, Unizulu Director of Communications Normah Zondo issued a statement condemning the violence.
‘A group of students held an illegal protest on campus without following any procedures or presenting a memorandum of grievances to the University Management. The academic programme will resume on Monday 24 February.
‘Those students who are caught instigating violence will be dealt with accordingly. The rule of law will be enforced to bring about stability. Security has been consolidated to ensure safety of staff, students and property.
‘Security forces will be visible in uniform and will apply university rules and laws of the Republic of South Africa,’ she said.
UMthunzi police spokesperson Lt Sbusiso Guma said they were still closely watching the campus to ensure no more violent attacks occur.
‘About 25 female and male students were arrested for damaging property and appeared in court on Friday,’ Guma said.
