Academic operations disrupted by protests at DUT and UKZN

Durban University of Technology (DUT) students led by their student representative council (SRC) president Zama Mncube left the Steve Biko campus on Monday morning and proceeded to the ML Sultan campus to pull out those who were writing tests.

The group of students marched under the watchful eye of a police and security contingent as some students voluntarily left their lecture halls.

Mncube said no one will be writing their exams on Monday as they were embarking on a “mass protest”.

The marching students eventually got all the students out of their lecture halls.

• UKZN protesters smear feaces over computers, disrupt testsAcademic activities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus were disrupted when protesting students threw faeces into lecture halls. 

“There are many unresolved issues and they keep piling up‚” said Mncube.

Mncube said one of the main concerns related to National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)‚ involving about 4000 students.

"No one seems to be bothered by this. On Wednesday‚ we are having a meeting with the NSFAS CEO and a Department of Higher Education ministerial delegation here at DUT‚" said Mncube.

Mncube said the students felt government was hell-bent on dividing students as universities would find a loophole to increase fees “stratospherically”.

“We want clarity‚ resolution‚ way forward and assurances on all these issues. Students won't take things lying down‚” she said.

In a communiqué to students issued on Sunday ‚ interim vice-chancellor and principal Dr John Volmink said confirmed that the meeting Mncube referred had been scheduled a “productive meeting” with the SRC.

“Some of you may have also read the social media comments alluding to student protests at DUT this week. At this stage‚ I have received no formal notice from our SRC regarding student protest action‚ however‚ DUT continues to respect the rights of students who want to protest‚ provided that it is done within the confines of the law.

“So‚ I want to urge all students who are considering protest action to remain peaceful‚ to refrain from violence and to resist any temptation to damage university property."

Lectures and tests were also disrupted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus when protesting students threw faeces into lecture halls.

A university staff member said some students were scheduled to write tests on Monday morning‚ but these were disrupted by the “poo throwers”.

The UKZN employee said faeces was smeared all over computers in one test venue.

Earlier on Monday morning‚ fire fighters were called to the William O'Brien residence which was set alight.

 – TMG Digital/The Times